Cochran – Felton Lynn Long, age 75, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, Willson Hospice House in Albany. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pulaski-Bleckley Memorial Gardens with military honors.

Lynn was born on January 3, 1948 as the eldest of three sons to loving parents Felton Curtis Long and Sarah NeSmith Long of Cochran, Georgia. After graduating from Cochran High School, Lynn joined the U.S. Merchant Marine and moved to Michigan. He was enjoying his freedom and career when Uncle Sam called him to serve his country. He proudly answered the call and completed basic training for the U.S. Army at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1968. As a member of the 1st Calvary, Lynn bravely served as a paratrooper in Vietnam from 1968-1969. Wounded in battle, he was awarded the Purple Heart and still carries one of the bullets from battle in his leg.

After finishing his tour in Vietnam, Lynn was stationed for the final three weeks of his active duty in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he met his future wife, Jolene Terrell Salaz, at a VFW dance. After just one date they decided to marry and shared 38 years together until her death. In March of 1973 they welcomed a daughter, Daiquiri Berlynn.

Lynn and his friends loved to drink beer, making his job with the Pabst Brewing Company perfect for him. Operating the filler machine, he took pride in every can he filled knowing they would be distributed throughout the country and world. After the brewery closed, he worked at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins until his retirement.

Lynn's loves were his family, guns, Harley Davidsons, and Ford Mustangs. He was mechanically gifted and spent many hours detailing and maintaining his motorcycles and cars. He rebuilt engines and transmissions, changed brake pads, and turned rotors simply for the fun of it.

Following a spinal injury late in life, Lynn moved to Americus, Georgia to live with his daughter and her family. During this time, he shared his card playing skills with his granddaughter, Scarlett Forsythia, who at five years-of-age can deal five-card draw, five-card stud, and black jack and can bluff with the best of them!

Lynn will be greatly missed by his Pomeranian "Lady" who was his faithful companion of 15 years, along with his loving daughter Daiquiri L. Tyson, her husband Lane Tyson, granddaughter Scarlett F. Tyson, Aunt Marcia Hardy, brothers Ricky W. Long and Link C. Long, nephews Derek D. Causey and Darren C. Long, nieces Maria L. Curry (Darrell) and Erica L. Lamb (Johnny), and several great nieces and nephews.

Immediately following the services, friends and family are invited to gather for lunch and to share PG-Rated stories about Lynn's escapades at Traditions located at 410 GA-87 BUS in Cochran.

The family will greet friends one hour before the service Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Mathis Funeral Home.