Dorian Noel De Long

December 30, 1970 ~ May 2, 2015 The family and friends of Dorian DeLong deeply mourn his sudden passing at age 44, while honoring and lifting up his life of contribution, love of family and community. All who knew Dorian experienced his irrepressible spirit, hard work on behalf of others, and capacity for channeling his tremendous energy into action. His heart’s delight was his home with his beloved wife Shaylyn and daughter Evie, where he loved nothing more than being with them gardening, playing, caring for their Boston Terriers, being with friends, and taking in the sweetness of life. They also enjoyed a close relationship with Dorian’s parents, Dick and Penny De Long of Thornton, Colorado, and with brother Dana and Jeanne De Long and their sons Alex and Zachary of Lebanon, New Jersey. Shaylyn writes: “To say Dorian was passionate about life is an understatement. He loved music, the arts, education and most of all, us. Our daughter Genevieve (Evie) was the light of his life! He was her rock as well as her goofy playmate. They loved to work on art – read comics – and watch Steven Universe and Teen Titans Go. His ability to make her laugh was magical. A funny googly‐eyed look from her dad would send Evie into a laughing frenzy. He was my best friend! We were a unit and complete with one another. He made me laugh daily with his jokes, which were a lot like Fozzy the Bear. I would always laugh and then say Waaka Waaka. His eyes made me melt with their intensity. His hugs made Evie and I both feel loved and safe. Dorian’s love for us was so pure and unconditional!” Dorian’s life calling was to education. He earned a Masters in Education with an emphasis in the Humanities from Colorado College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Metropolitan State College of Denver. As a social studies teacher at Thornton High School, he imbued his students with the ability to rise, take up the art of learning and thoroughly enjoy their accomplishments. They loved him, whether learning American History, applied civics or swing dancing. In fact, a contingent showed up in their finest to cheer him in the parking lot as he emerged from his wedding! As an advocate, Dorian lobbied for the introduction and passage of House Bill 1273 (Merrifield/Spence Steadman) encouraging all Colorado public schools to provide education in the visual and performing arts and directing the State Board of Education to recognize the importance of the arts in development of future graduation guidelines. The bill was signed into law on May 18, 2010 by Governor Ritter. It received wide bipartisan support through work to form and utilize a broad coalition of citizen advocates directly affiliated with arts and music education across the state of Colorado. The leadership of the Colorado Education Association writes: “Dorian was a devoted, caring teacher in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools district for many years who found his calling to lead in the fight for professional educator rights and opportunity for all students as president of the District Twelve Educators’ Association. After outstanding service for DTEA members, he had recently begun valuable staff work for Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA), further strengthening the voice of teachers and students in Jeffco. Dorian touched the lives of thousands of Colorado educators and was a cheerful warrior for public education. We are inspired to carry on the vital advocacy work for Colorado educators and students that meant so much to him.” Dorian lived his early life in Lamoni, Iowa. He moved with his family to Colorado at age nine, and attended public schools in Estes Park and Colorado Springs before moving to Denver for college and then to Arvada, his permanent home. Prior to beginning his career as an educator, he held a variety of jobs in the restaurant industry and spent several summers in Rocky Mountain National Park, working for the Youth Conservation Corps and Parks Service as a road crew and trail crew laborer. Dorian is survived by wife Shaylyn De Long and daughter Evie De Long; parents Dick and Penny De Long; brother Dana De Long and his wife Jeanne De Long and their sons Alex and Zachary De Long; aunt Elizabeth Seja Min; aunt Karen Warren and her husband William Warren; cousin Philip Warren and his wife Brooke Warren and their daughter Reagan Warren; cousin Sarah Richards and her daughter Erin Wall, uncle David Min and his wife Ann Min and their daughter Sue Min; brother in law Greg Whisler and his wife Andrea Whisler and their son Stratton and daughter Maddy – and his many friends and colleagues. Dorian’s memory is a blessing. Although he was taken too early, all can be comforted in knowing that the last year of his life was one of his happiest, where he had come to a place of peace, and in the words of his brother Dana, “was in a very good place.” * * * * A memorial service and celebration of Dorian’s life will be held Saturday, May 23 at 4:00 PM at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. The request is to wear Blue, the colors of JCEA (Jefferson Colorado Educators Association). A fund has been set up for Dorian’s daughter, the “Daddy Loves You, Evie Fund.” Here are the ways to contribute: Go into Horizons North Credit Union at 11455 Pearl Street in Northglenn, CO 80233 or find a shared branch to make a deposit to Account Reference Number: 147521. (Phone 1‐800‐919‐2872 or visit www.HNCU.org) Contribute online with this link: http://www.gofundme.com/Dorian