C. Michael Long

Community leader, youth advocate, businessman are all words used to describe Mike Long but the most important descriptors to him were husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. We are saddened to share that Mike passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2023 after a short battle with an aggressive form of leukemia.

Michael Charles Long was born on February 25, 1937, at Oregon City Hospital. A mistake by the Oregon State Board of Health recorded his name as Charles Michael Long. After attempts to correct the mistake were unsuccessful the family chose to adopt his name as C. Michael Long. Mike attended a one-room schoolhouse in Azalea before going on to West Linn High School where he was very active in the Future Farmers of America. After graduation he enrolled at Oregon State College, now Oregon State University, and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics.

After graduating from college Mike served as a medic in the US Air Force for six months prior to beginning a successful career at the United States Census Bureau. Rising quickly within the Bureau he held positions throughout the United States including California, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, and Washington D.C. and was honored at the White House for his superior work. It was while employed at the Census Bureau that he met the love of his life, Janice Ballard. They were married in 1982 and using the knowledge gained during their time at the Census Bureau formed their own business, Western Economic Research (W.E.R.). In 1993 they decided to relocate their business to Oregon to be close to family.

Mike, with his wife Jan at his side, have made a tremendous impact on the Santiam Canyon. Mike has held positions on committees and commissions benefitting the entire Canyon. They were honored as Grand Marshalls at the 2022 Mill City Fourth of July Parade. He served for sixteen years as City Councilmember for Mill City and over twenty-five years as a board member of the North Santiam Chamber of Commerce. He and Jan have both been inducted into the Santiam High School Hall of Fame for their contributions to the community.

Together Jan and Mike helped establish the Santiam Senior Center where many seniors congregate for the weekly lunch and activities. In 2000 Mike set out to do something for the youth of the canyon and started the Youth Benefit Golf Tournament with the goal of raising funds to provide college scholarships and grants for various youth projects in the Santiam Canyon. The tournament became a huge success, thus far has raised over $300,000 for scholarships and funding.

Mike had many passions but one that stands out above all others is his love of golf. He hit five hole in ones in his lifetime but the most special was on the day that he and wife Jan shot a hole in one on the same hole on the same day, landing them on the front page of the Oregon Statesman Journal newspaper.

Mike is survived by his wife, Janice Ballard Long, sons Johnny, Jeffrey, and Joseph Ballard. Daughter Jackie Ballard, grandchildren Jakira Ballard [Gabe] Conner, Jeffrey Ballard Jr., and Joshua Ballard. Nephews Kevin [Sheri] Long, Jerry [Jill] Long, and niece Linda Long [Jim] Boessenecker and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother George and sister-in-law Norma Long.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 18th, 11 am, at the Santiam Highschool Auditorium. Lunch will follow at the North Santiam Eagles Lodge.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Youth Benefit Golf Tournament (YBGT) at PO Box 107, Mill City OR in honor of Mike or a charity of your choice.