Eldon Eugene Long, age 97, died peacefully in Celina, Texas, on March 28, 2021, after a long and happy life.
Eldon was born April 15, 1923, in Muse, Oklahoma, to Charles and Iona Long the eldest of nine siblings. He is a veteran of World War II having served in the 1244th Military Police Company where he earned the rank of Sergeant and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army Air Force in 1946, Eldon returned to Ryan, Oklahoma, where he met the love of his life, Mary Pritchard. They were married on December 24, 1947. Eldon had a long career at Central Freight Lines rising through the ranks and becoming a manager of the Sherman, Texas, location before his retirement. Forever a farmer at heart, Eldon proudly tended to his garden up until his last years. He was a longtime member of the Church of Christ and active in the leadership of the church. Eldon will forever be remembered as a kind and loving man who cherished time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Eldon is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mary; his son, Olen Long; his granddaughter, Heather Long; his grandsons and their spouses, Ryan and Caroline Long, Derek and Carlen Long, Jason and Haley Long; his seven great-grandchildren; his siblings and their spouses, Paul and Patsy Long, Raymond and Meredith Long, Arlene and Herman Curtis; and his sister-in-law, Glenda Long.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Iona Long; his children, David Long and Tony Long; his sisters, Geneva Norberry, Geraldine Long, and Eunice Long; his brother, Glen Long; his daughter-in-law, Linda Long; and his great-grandson, Lawson Long.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 2, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Old Celina Cemetery, located on W. Glendenning Parkway, Celina, Texas.