Lonas Paul Long worked in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as part of the Manhattan Project, helping to produce the United States' first atomic bombs, two of which would help the United States defeat Japan in World War II. He fought in the Korean War which prevented the spread of communism to South Korea. After the war, he moved his family to Florida for a new startup called the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. While there he was a part of the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle programs which put a man on the moon and placed the International Space Station and Hubble Telescope into orbit. If this wasn't enough, after retirement he ran a successful Christian bookstore with his wife for 25 years. All while accomplishing these feats, he raised four wonderful children. More importantly, he married the love of his life in 1956 and cared and provided for her for the next 60 years.
He and people like him are why the United States is exceptional. It's not naturally exceptional, but exceptional because individuals like him made it so. I'm thankful and honored to share his middle name. I love you, grandpa. Rest In Peace

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2016 at 2 PM at the First Baptist Church of Mims.