Todd Hiestand // Missional Living in Suburban America

On the way to Billings…

Sitting here in the airport getting ready to head off to Denver where I will meet up with my brother Gerald and then head to Billings. I downloaded my e-mail before i left the house today and on the way down to the airport i read through an e-mail from my mom that had the Obit for my uncle.

Often times, when i have heard someone’s uncle died i have a often thought “well, at least it was only his unlce, not someone closer.” Well, while this might be true for some people i have realized it is not true for me. My family on my mothers side (Gordon was my mother’s brother) is really, really close. I am starting to realize that this weekend is going to be a harder than i thought…

anyways, thanks for all your prayers and thoughts, comments and IM’s the last few days. it means a lot to know that my family has so many prayers…

Gordon Longenecker, age 49, left his earth suit behind on a backwoods trail doing something he loved, hunting. Gordon also loved traipsing around a golf course in search of a better game. Whether he knew you or not, he would find a way to engage you in conversation and he seemed to know someone anywhere he went around Billings. Gordon had a great memory for details, numbers and facts and seemed to know at least something about everything. He especially loved long conversations about his Bible and Lord, and any conversation usually ended with his latest joke. To know Gordon was to like him. In spite of the fact that Gordon worked his Omega Wallworks business a lot, the dearest thing to him was his family; his wife Carol, of almost 25 years; his daughter Megan, 22 who is in graduate school in Missoula and his son Brian, 20 who attends Bible college in Bozeman. He was so proud of their life choices and the fine young adults they have become.

Gordon was born in Andalusia Alabama, Jan. 6, 1956, to Harold and Esther Longenecker. At age 2, the family moved to Morton, IL, where his father directed the Rural Home Missionary Association. In 1966, God brought this family to Billings to lead the Montana Institute of the Bible. When the school moved to Lewistown, Gordon changed high schools in his senior year. He then attended the Bible College for three years. After spending two summers working for a beekeeper, he picked up a paint brush, marking the beginning of his life career; this later became Omega Wallworks, which he ran with great integrity.

Gordon is also survived by his parents, a sister Carol (Galen) Hiestand of Des Plaines, IL and their three fine sons, Scott, (Jill), Gerald (Jill) and Todd (Melanie.) His younger brother Ronnie died in 1962.

In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to the
Gordon Longenecker Memorial Fund (to be used primarily for the children’s education)
1st Citizen’s Bank
P.O. Box 2508
Billings, MT 59103

Or

Harvest Community Foundation (swimming pool in the Heights)
P.O. Box 50489
Billings, MT 59105