James Delong

James C. DeLong Sr., age 81 passed away Sunday, June 5, 2005 at Aultman Hospital following a period of declining health. He was born August 11, 1923 in Massillon to the late Kenton C. & Mary Jane (Callivin) DeLong and has been a life long resident and a 1941 graduate of Washington High School. He served in the 92nd Medical Gas Treatment Battalion during World War II. After the war, he served at the Presidio in San Francisco. He graduated from Michigan State University and then became personnel director at Massillon Community Hospital. He attended night school at the William McKinley School of Law and earned his law degree in 1956. Jim entered the practice of law in 1957 and practiced until he closed his office in 1996. He was an avid football fan and was the historian for the Massillon Tigers from the mid 1950s until his death. He was active in church and community boards for many years. He served as President of the Catholic Service League from 1967 to 1969, was a member of K of C #554, the VFW Post #5047, and the American Legion Post #384 in Whitehouse, OH. Jim had a love of journalism and was Editor Emeritus of the Stark County Bar Journal. His father was advertising manager for the Independent. During high school, Jim wrote sports articles for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and was credited with first breaking the news of Paul Brown's departure from Massillon to Ohio Sate University in January 14, 1941. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Ress. Jim leaves behind his wife Rose (Morabito) DeLong of 48 years, sons James Jr. of Maumee, OH and David of Massillon and a grandson, Dillon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 9, 2005 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Massillon with Fr. Thomas Cebula as celebrant. He will lie in state at the church from 9:00 AM until the Mass at the church. The procession will form at the church. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.