TOPSFIELD – Mr. James (Jack) Henry Long, 90 of Topsfield, loving husband of the late Marguerite Elaine (Law) Long, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at Beverly Hospital.

Jack was born in Columbus, Mississippi, son of the late Louis Harold and Eunice (Lipscomb) Long. He was raised in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Mississippi State College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Jack proudly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss outside of El Paso, Texas from 1953-55 and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. Jack then earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from MIT in 1957.

Jack started work at General Electric in Pittsfield, MA. At General Electric he met Elaine, who would become his wife. In the early 1960s Jack took a position at Raytheon Company in Bedford, MA and worked there until his retirement in 1992. Jack worked on numerous RADAR and missile programs for the US Department of Defense at Raytheon. The most well-known program was the Patriot missile system, the world's first truly defensive weapon system.

Jack was an avid reader and lifelong learner who stayed active in retirement until his final days. Jack had a passion for historical and environmental preservation. He was an active member of the Topsfield Historical Society for several decades. Jack also was a member of the Trustees of Reservations, Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Boston Athenaeum, and a patron of the Peabody Essex Museum. Jack also served as a volunteer with the Girl Scout Council of Essex County for many years.

Jack is survived by his two sons Dr. Henry W. Long of Topsfield, and Dr. Fred Long of Randolph, NJ and his three grandsons William, Matthew, and Benjamin.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend James' funeral service which will be held at Topsfield Congregational Church, 9E Common St., Topsfield on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 11 A.M.  A celebration of Jack's life will occur at the Emerson Center in Topsfield following the church service. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery will be private. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebration, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, donations in James' memory may be made to the Topsfield Historical Society or the Peabody Essex Museum. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.