Charles Randall DeLong, born November 7, 1958 in Orlando, Florida to Freda Annette DeLong and Vernon Charles DeLong. Randy grew up in the midst of high adventure with three brothers, Danny, Donnie, and Delvin, who loved scouting in the woods on their family farm for things to explore, shoot, or blow up! They swam in the same pond where they frequently saw water moccasins. It is little wonder that Randy's aim was
high, and he completed his Private Pilot's License in 1978 as a senior in high school. In love with aviation, he went to Atlanta Area Tech, and in 1982, completed training for his A & amp; P Mechanic's License.

Randy took a job in Orlando, Florida, where he reconnected with Torri Thomas, a good friend from high school, who became his wife on January 2, 1984. The couple moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina later that year where Randy got the job of his dreams with Piedmont Airlines. He spent 18 years as a mechanic in general aviation, and later worked with U.S. Airways in heavy maintenance and working the line. During this time
in North Carolina, Randy and Torri welcomed their three beautiful children: Charles Ethan ('90), Rachel Elizabeth ('91), and Wendell Elliot ('95).
In 2003, Randy once again moved with his family, this time to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where he completed his CFI and CFII training from Spartan Aeronautics in Tulsa. Working and studying almost around the clock, his burning passion was to be able to teach others to fly, specifically his two sons and his nephew.

Enter Randy's 2 nd career in aviation as a trainer of pilots, accumulating 19 years of service with Cessna, later Textron Aviation. This season opened many new doors of opportunity as Randy and Torri, along with their youngest son Elliot, moved to Wichita, Kansas where Randy became a demo pilot, and a check airmen pilot, and trained customers on avionics. As a friend recently put it, "Randy was living the dream!" Truly,
any day he got to fly, the thrill was there all over again.

In a six-year long battle with prostate cancer, which began in 2018, Randy was resolved to fight and pray for as much time flying and being with his wife, his children and their families as the Lord would mercifully allow. In 2019, Randy was still flying daily when a co-worker invited him to church, where he felt the realization that he was born again. He realized that he found it easy to believe what he was reading in the Bible and noticed that his desires had fundamentally changed. He wanted to honor Christ in everything.

The peace he felt was incredible, and, finding a deep assurance of salvation, he looked for every opportunity to engage with people and find out their story. 2020 brought the sad news that Randy was one of 800 employees being laid off at Textron. He trusted Christ with his sadness and posted an honoring farewell post on Facebook. Within hours, he received a job offer to sell planes for High Performance Aviation. He thrived as he "talked planes" endlessly to numerous customers a day.

Thus, he entered into his 3 rd career in aviation with his usual excellence and love for flying and the people who loved flying! Randy was full of life right to the end. He never tired of achievement, even in his post- chemo physical therapy efforts. He was a professional pilot, traveler, teacher, and sports adventurer. He prized being a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, and proud papa of his long-haired dachshund girl, Daisy. As a Reformed Baptist Christian, Randy always prayed that his light would shine brightly for Jesus, his faithful
Savior and Friend, which it did to the very end. Randy DeLong, you are loved and missed more than words could possibly convey. Thank you for a life lived for Jesus Christ and leading the charge.

Charles Randall DeLong is survived by Torri D DeLong (Thomas), his wife of more than 40 years. He is also survived by his children: Charles Ethan (Lauren), Rachel E. Parra (Abel), Wendell Elliot (Melissa); grandchildren: Sophia Elise and Isabella Rae Parra, and Charles Oliver and James Alexander DeLong; step-mother: Delores DeLong; brothers: Daniel DeLong (Rebecca), Donald DeLong (Karen), Delvin DeLong (Marsha);
sister-in-law Traci Thomas McConnell (William); nieces and nephews: John Ramey (Kathy), Chelsea Crawford (Richard), Christian McConnell (Sarah), and Rory DeLong; as well as many beloved great- nieces and great-nephews and numerous family and
friends.

Charles Randall DeLong was preceded in death by his parents, Freda Annette DeLong (Simons) and Vernon Charles DeLong. You are invited to attend a memorial service honoring Randy's life on Saturday,

November 23 rd at 2pm at Baker Funeral Home West, 3224 N. Tyler Road, Wichita, KS 67205.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to Rock of Christ Church, www.rockofchrist.com, where Randy was a member.