Mr. Joseph Edwin Long, age 76, passed away August 23, 2009. He was born on August 4, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas. On August 13, 1973, he married JoAnn Turner in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He proudly served his country for 21 years in the U.S. Army. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star. Mr. Long was a police officer for the UT-System in El Paso and Dallas, Texas. He also served as a deputy for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the VFW Lodge. He is survived by his children, Jeffrey Welch and his wife, Tammy of Plano, Texas, Lynn Simmons and her husband, Daniel of San Clemente, California, LeAnne Person and her husband, William of Frisco, Texas, and Gregory Welch and his wife, Naomi of Rockwall, Texas; 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. His wife, JoAnn preceded him in death in 2007. He was also preceded in death by his mother, Nellie Meade, and his son, Douglas Long. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2009, at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.