Boles Funeral Home

Long, 79, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at home.Donald was born on Jan. 13, 1939, at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to the late Ray H. Long Sr. and Loma Y. Long.His childhood years were spent in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His family moved to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, when he was a teenager.He was a 1957 graduate of Shippensburg Area Senior High School where he played varsity baseball.Donald had great love for the sport of baseball and spent many of his prime years on the diamond. In addition to varsity baseball, he played for the American Legion team and was scouted by the minor league team now known as the Frederick Keys. He was the owner of the “famous” Varsity Shoppe and was also a veteran of the United States Army.He had a hidden talent, which was acting, and he performed with the Chambersburg Community Theatre.Donald later retired from State Farm after working for them as an insurance agent for more than 30 years.During this time, he developed great passion for the game of golf. This eventually led him and “Debbie” to settle down in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where they were able to fulfill a dream of living on Course No. 6 of the prestigious Pinehurst Resort. Even after suffering from three strokes in one summer, Donald spoke of getting on the greens again for 9 holes.Everyone who knew him was captured by his presence and wonderful sense of humor. He was full of witty comments and jokes galore! His love for life and others, including animals, was palpable. Donald was affectionately known as “Rebel” to family and friends.He is survived by his wife, Deborah Baker Long; children, Kenneth Long, Dr. Tricia Kelly (Stephen Flowers) and Delores Eden; sister, Joan Kriner (Les); brother, Ray Long (Eyvonne); and grandchildren, Christopher Long, Patrick Long, Caitlin Binner, Aaron Binner and AC Kelly.He is preceded in death by two children, Donny Ray Long and Robert Michael Long; and five siblings, Verna Lesher, Loma Lynch, Betty L. Burgard, Irene N... (The Shippensburg News-Chronicle)