Alan Maurice DeLong

Alan Maurice DeLong, a beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away on October 22, 2024 in Lee's Summit, Missouri. He was 62 years old. Alan was born on April 24, 1962, in Kansas City, Missouri to Bert and Marjorie (Wagener) DeLong.

Alan graduated from Truman High in 1980 and pursued a higher education at Graceland University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and computer science. Alan dedicated over 16 years at Sprint in the coding and billing department, during which he further pursued a Master's degree in business at Baker University. His entrepreneurial spirit later led him to other opportunities including co-founding Dragon Family, a martial arts school. He would later work at Brillient Corp. for almost 7 years, where he would become a manager.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Alan was jovial, intelligent, and ever-ready with a dad joke to lighten the mood or share a laugh. He had a knack for making friends everywhere he went. Those who knew him appreciated his warm spirit and contagious laughter, a source of comfort and joy. Behind his humor and joy, and perhaps even the source of it, Alan was a man of strong faith and a seemingly never ending spirit of perseverance. Throughout his years, and the ups and downs, he never stopped attempting to better himself and learn, he held on to his faith, and he always did what he could to provide for his family.

Alan was a teacher, leader, and mentor to many. He was a proud scout leader and in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, where he instilled values and skills in his sons and young scouts. He was also a teacher of the priesthood, and scholar of the Book of Mormon. He guided many with his wisdom and kindness and shared his faith to all who would listen. And even after he no longer taught at Dragon Family, he still took on pupils, teaching them discipline as he taught them JKD (June Fan Jeet Kune Do).

 In his leisure time, Alan relished cooking, especially trying new and experimental recipes, Grilling and smoking meats, and found solace in reading books ranging from academic to fictional thrillers. He would always tune in on Saturday to watch Svengoolie, a quirky tradition that brought joy into his weekends. Alan had journaled regularly over the last decade of his life, and in the last year, had quietly taken up creative writing.

Alan was a proud father and grandfather, and is survived by his three children, Jacob DeLong, Joshua DeLong, and Katherine DeLong, as well as his two grandchildren, Athena Kerns, and Atlas Hills, all of whom looked up to him and loved him. Alan is also survived by his older siblings, Cindy DeLong and Dennis (Felicidad) DeLong who he cherished dearly.

Alan will have a "Celebration of Life" service on November 23, 2024, at 11:30 AM at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Independence, Missouri. Friends and family are encouraged to join together to share stories and cherish the memory of a man who touched so many lives.

Rest in peace, Alan. Your spirit will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing you, and your jokes will be missed dearly.