After service in the United States Coast Guard during the Second World War era, Long became a pharmacist in the city of Lafayette.
[2]: 35 Professionally, he was active in the Kiwanis and the local chamber of commerce,[3]: 39 and he was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
[4]: 37 Long had no single predecessor; the entirety of Tippecanoe County was an electoral district for the 97th General Assembly, sending two representatives to Indianapolis.
[6]: 23 Long was not re-elected to the House in 1982, and the race for the 27th District seat was won by Sheila J. Klinker, a Democrat from Lafayette.
He was briefly memorialized at the next meeting of the highest governing body of his church, due to his service as an elder in his local congregation.