Long, Earl

Earl Long

Services: Have been held.

Earl A. Long, 80, of Portales, died Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales.

He was born on Jan. 29, 1924, in Colgate, Okla., to Eva and Sanford Long.

He served during World War II as a paratrooper in Europe. Following his military service, he married Clarice Cochran in Wheeler, Texas, on May 10, 1948.

He lived in Arizona and Oklahoma before moving to California where he worked for Hughes Aircraft as a metal fabricator. He worked as a park ranger in California for 13 years before retiring in 1980 and moving to Clovis. He lived in Portales the past 15 years. Family members said he was an avid musician and enjoyed games of all kinds. They said he also enjoyed playing with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Charlie, Ira John, William, James Henry, Jack and J. R. Long; three sisters, Ethel Riley, Ella Housewright, and Geneva Eakman; a grandchild, Sarah Lounelle Long; and his wife.

Survivors include a sister, Stella Riley (and husband, Wilburn) of Roswell; four sons, Carson Long (Edna), Sanford Long (Debra), Steven Long (Darlene) all of Portales, and Charles Long of Phoenix; three daughters, Alta Joan Miller of Clinton, Ohio, Sandra Lee, and Mary Reuland (Steven) all of Portales; 15 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Carson, Sam, Steve, Charlie and Sanford Long and Steve Reuland.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.