Richard L.

By Richard's mom, Sue

Richard Thomas Long Jr.

Canton, Illinois

Richard was my firstborn and only son. He was born on February 22, 1986. He was known to many as "Jr." and "Duney." Jr. was smart and a computer buff. Growing up in Canton, Illinois, he enjoyed listening to metal music, mastering video games, fishing, swimming, and teasing his younger sister, Jessica.

Jr. loved spending time with his family. Jr.’s two boys, Ethan (age 13) and Sabestian (age 2), were his pride and joy. He absolutely loved watching Ethan play baseball.

Jr. started using drugs in high school and battled an opiate addiction from that time until his death. Richard Thomas Long Jr. lost his 13-year battle to opiate addiction on February 8, 2015.

After his death, Jessica and I started an annual Overdose Awareness Walk in Canton. We also distribute Naloxone locally.