Derek Eugene Long was born October 14, 1986 to David Eugene and Brenda Gay Long in Pella, Iowa. He passed away Sunday, July 22, 2012 near Pella, Iowa, at the age of twenty-five.

He received his early education in the Pella Schools and graduated from Pella Community High School with the class of 2006. Derek was employed at Precision Pulley and Idler in Pella for the last six years.

On August 6, 2011 he was united in marriage with Gini Kennedy at Edmundson Park in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He had three children: Alexia Davis, Zachary Rankin, and Chase Rankin.

Derek attended the Federated Fellowship Church in Pella. He was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed bow hunting, high power hunting, camping, and fishing. He loved fast cars and motorcycles, family time, especially his kids. He was a proud father. He leaves this life as a hero, wonderful father, husband, son and brother. He was known for his helping hand to his family with any need that arose.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Gini; his parents, Dave and Brenda Long of Pella; his three children: Alexia, Zachary, and Chase; sister, Tiffany Long; his grandparents: Kenneth and Lois Fogle of Sigourney and Joyce Long of Oskaloosa; maternal uncles and aunts: Paulette (Robert) Wehr, Crystal Fogle, Dee (Jeff) Brinning; paternal uncles and aunts: Jeff (Flo) Long, Chuck (Nancy) Long, Glenda (Bill) Plowman, and Joyce Swope; and many other family members.

He was preceded in death by: his grandfathers: Charles Long and Terry Swope; his aunt and uncle: Alan and Nancy Gravitt; great-grandparents: Maxine and Elmo Lowry, Roy and Ilene Fogle, and Mr. and Mrs. Long, and Mr. and Mrs. Foster.

Derek will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

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