This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Long, Turner, Reader, Leonard, Pierce Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/5068/mb.ashx Message Board Post: DAVID WESLEY LONG was born in Coos Bay, Oregon on March 21, 1958 to Daryl G. Long and Janet E. (Turner) Long. He died in hospice care November 29, 2010 in Reno, Nevada. David was active in music during his early years, and studied piano, cello, clarinet, and saxophone. He also enjoyed scouting and outdoor citizenship programs. As a high school senior, he was already playing an active role in political causes, and received local press coverage for his advocacy work in support of a write-in presidential candidate. After graduating from Marshfield High School in Coos Bay in 1976, David attended Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay and Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. It was at LCC that David began to explore his interest in communications and broadcast media. In 1983, David moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico to attend New Mexico State University, where he majored in communications and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987. David worked as an on-air radio personality in the Las Cruces market and later became a television production specialist. He lived and worked in Montrose, Colorado before relocating to Reno, Nevada in 1989 to work for CBS affiliate KTVN. David was a connoisseur of many styles of music, especially progressive art rock and the early forerunners of ambient and avant garde styles. He frequently attended live concerts and often refered new listeners to music that he appreciated. He also enjoyed creating his own experimental electronic music using digital synthesis and other techniques that interested him. David believed that humankind has a great capacity to improve our world, and his sense of humor encouraged us to laugh at our mistakes, while expecting greater things from ourselves and each other. He is survived by his brother, James Long of Portland, Oregon; his aunt and uncle, Janice and Thomas Reader of Las Cruces, New Mexico; his cousin Aryn Mitchell of Plano, Texas and her family; his cousin Garth Reader of Los Alamos, New Mexico and his family; his cousin Dirk Reader of Flowermound, Texas and his family; his aunt and uncle, Carolyn and Larry Leonard, of Springfield, Virginia; his cousin Beth Gill of Burke, Virginia and her family; and his stepfather, Donald Pierce of Coos Bay, Oregon and his family. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on December 29, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.