Jeffrey L. DeLong

Jeffrey L. DeLong
July 20, 1954 - August 01, 2013
Cheyenne, Wyoming, formerly of West Chester
Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. August 09, 2013 at Powell Funeral Home - Keota
Visitation: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. August 09, 2013 at Powell Funeral Home - Keota
Interment: August 09, 2013 at Keota Cemetery
WEST CHESTER-Jeffrey L. DeLong, age 59, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, formerly of West Chester, died during heart surgery on Thursday, August 1, 2013, in Cheyenne. Jeff was born July 20, 1954, in Washington, IA as a third child to parents Gerald L. and Joye L. (Wright) DeLong. He grew up in West Chester, IA, where he learned the art of carpentry at the DeLong Lumber Company, and graduated from Keota High School. He had a passion for baseball, Wyoming sports, the outdoors and watching westerns. A school trip to Colorado initiated his love for the mountains. Upon his return he vowed to come back to the Mountain West to start anew. After graduating high school, marrying Lorna Berry, wife for 36 years, and completing his certification as a diesel mechanic, they moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado and then to Cheyenne, his home for 37 years. He worked as a diesel mechanic for 26 years until a hip injury lead to a new career in real estate and community handy man. Jeff was a 23-year active member and officer for the Order of the Elk's. Friends will remember his good willed nature and producer of smiles and laughter. The community will remember his charitable management of the Elk's hoop shoot and his work at water distribution centers during Frontier Days. His weekly phone calls will be missed, of course; the final moments holding the promise, "We shall meet again." Survivors include his parents: Gerald and Joye DeLong of West Chester; two sons: Bradley of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Brian of Bloomington, Indiana; granddaughters Justice DeLong of Texas and Afiyah Shah-DeLong of Indiana.; brother: Michael of De Soto; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother: Mark. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9, 2013, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, with Rev. Marlene Janssen officiating. Burial will be at Keota Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Friday at the funeral home. A general memorial fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Jeffrey and his family. Condolences may be e-mailed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.