Frank (Harry Franklin) Long, 86, of Jacksonville, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

He was born on July 25, 1939, to Raymond and Frances (Taylor) Long in Winchester.

Frank graduated from Winchester High School in 1957. He attended Culver Stockton College in Canton, Missouri where he received a scholarship to play basketball. Frank was an important part of the championship team that advanced to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City in March 1959. That 1959 Team was inducted into the Culver Stockton College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

After graduating college in 1961, Frank was an Assistant Basketball Coach, coaching the Quincy Blue Devils. He then became the Jacksonville High School Crimsons Head Basketball Coach where he had a successful nine-year run before retiring after the 1974-75 season to briefly become the Athletic Director. He finished his coaching career with a record of 129-108, the fourth-most wins at the school, including four regional titles and three Capitol Conference championships. Along with his coaching responsibilities he was a driver's education instructor coaching many students behind the wheel of cars and motorcycles.

He was inducted into the Jacksonville High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and continued to help the JHS program in an advisory capacity.

Frank finished his career with Reader's Digest retiring after 21 years, where he had continued success in helping schools and organizations meet their fundraising goals which supported a variety of school programs.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time on the golf course at the Jacksonville Country Club where he served as Board President in 2005. He most definitely enjoyed the brotherhood of the Elks Club and was a lifetime member.

Frank's passionate love of sports was woven throughout his entire life whether it was watching the St. Louis Cardinals, The Illini and University of Kansas basketball teams or following some Colorado sports teams.

His sports passion was a distinct connection with his family. He introduced the family to snow skiing. He led the family to skiing throughout the Midwest and then to Colorado where he loved Copper Mountain and Winter Park. He was able to share this love of skiing in CO alongside his first grandson, Jordan. Frank had that same sports enthusiasm with cheering his other grandson, Dylan, to victory in a collegiate swim meet.

Frank is survived by his brother, Don of Springfield, IL, his daughters, Cara Long-Heller of Jacksonville, Debbie Kirar (John) of Arvada, CO, grandson, Jordan Kirar (Amanda) and great granddaughter Macy of Erie, CO, and grandson, Dylan Kirar of Denver, CO.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 29th at the Jacksonville Elks Club from 4:00 - 7:00 pm.

Memorials are suggested to the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation (to be used for the JHS Boys Basketball/The Preservation of the Bowl Fund) or JDRF, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is assisting the family with arrangements.