Clois Grover Long

Clois “Max” Grover Long, 73, of Wasilla died Feb. 19, 2010, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Memorial services are pending. Burial of his cremated remains will be in Valley View Cemetery in Covelo, Calif.

Max was born June 12, 1936, in Covelo, Calif., to Loren L. and Evelyn (Lyons) Long. He honorably served his country in the Air Force from 1955 to 1958 as a radio operator with the 327th Bomb Squadron. Over his life, he worked with the Forest Service in Mendocino County, Calif. In Salem, Ore., he worked as a deputy sheriff and as a physician’s assistant. Max moved to Alaska in 1977, living in Anchorage, Delta Junction and eventually settling in Wasilla. He worked as a security officer with the Alaska pipeline, and lastly as a corrections officer at the Palmer Correctional Center, retiring in 1996.

He was a member of the Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake, the American Legion and the Masons. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, photography of his beautiful Alaska scenery and was a locally known cartoonist and artist. He was the author of “The Long Shadows.”

His family wrote: “He enjoyed life and was quite a prankster. You knew Max liked you if he pulled a prank or joke on you. He was taught by his dad good sportsmanship, honesty and integrity. He was very proud of his six children and seven step-children. He loved to barbecue and invite friends over. He was known for his famous hot Alaska chili that he won a few chili cook-offs with. He often spoke proudly of his American Native heritage of the Karuk tribe.”

He is survived by his wife, Anna of Wasilla; five daughters, Penny of Wasilla, Evelyn of Willows, Calif., Deanna of Chico, Calif., Ranee of Willows, Calif., and Coleen of Covelo, Calif.; son, Sean of Willows, Calif.; six step-daughters, Addie of Cleveland, Texas, Cloria of Conroe, Texas, Sue and Vickie of Magnolia, Texas, Karen of Oakwood, Texas, and Juanita Hanson of Mustang, Okla.; one step-son, Doug of Magnolia, Texas; 27 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; five brothers, Kenlyn of Covelo, Calif., Lonnie of Roseville, Calif., Loren Jr. of Nussa, Ore., Sterling of Reno, Nevada, and Arlon of Covelo, Calif.; and many special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph, and his parents.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Cremation Society of Alaska. An online guestbook can be signed at www.alaskacremation.com.