Earl G.
Long - Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather
Earl G. Long, 76, of Waco, passed
away Wednesday, December 15, 2004, at a Temple hospital after a
short bout with cancer.
Earl and Norma
married in 1950, in Mansfield Ohio. That was the beginning of 54
years of a loving and adventurous relationship. Earl and Norma were
never the ones to set idle and let life pass them by. They lived a
very active and full life. They were never afraid to face a
challenge. In 1960 they did not think twice about leaving their life
long friends and family and moving their three sons 1200 miles away
to a totally foreign place to insure a better climate for theirs
sons to live in. When they move to Waco it did not take them long
before they were making new friends and starting their lives over.
It was not uncommon for the family to spend hours on weekends
traveling around the back roads of Texas exploring this great big
new place they now called home. They rapidly made new friends in
their personal lives and Earl in his professional life. Earl had a
few very good people take him under their wings and help him make
Waco home.
Earl spent his
whole life in sales. This was not by accident. It was not difficult
for him to develop a successful carrier in sales because he
genuinely liked and cared about the people that were his clients.
His sales territory was the entire State of Texas and all he did was
make fiends all over the state. He never forgot the names of the
people he did business with many years ago. They were all special to
him.
His first love
was his family. He spent many hard weeks at work and would come home
and always had time for any activity that his family was involved
in. He especially loved the time his sons were involved in the Boy
Scouts. He made sure he always was available for all the activities
including the camping trips. He felt it was his duty to help his
sons learn the importance of the lessons the scouting program
taught. He always remembered these times together and continued to
talk about them frequently.
Earl loved the
outdoors. As a family there were many weekends spent together on the
lake boating, camping or enjoying outdoor cookouts. He found outdoor
family activities as rewarding times and continued to value them up
to the end.
He always was the
guiding light, the councilor, the mentor, and comforter for his
sons. He was always there and never let them down. He was their
strength when they needed strength; he listened when they needed to
be heard and was the guidance when they needed guidance. Most of all
he was a loving father to his sons.
At the Long
household it was just understood and without any prejudice that Earl
and Norma were to be shared. We knew that they meant a lot to
others. It was their nature to give of themselves. Their home was
always open to anyone that needed a place for a meal or comfort.
They treated many others as if they were their own. They were always
willing to help anyone that needed a helping hand.
Earl and Norma
never lost the connection with their roots and the family they left
in Ohio and other places. Earl always had a warm spot in his heart
for Norma’s sister and her children. He always loved it when they
were able to spend time together.
It was always fun
to listen to Earl talk about one of his Grandchildren. He was so
proud of each and every one of them. Each one had a special meaning
to him. He loved picking on them and teasing them, but most of all
he loved them very much. He enjoyed watching them grow and develop
into very special individuals.
Earl knew he was
blessed with a loving and special wife. He and Norma spent a
lifetime together as more than husband and wife. They were best
friends. They did not waste any years together. They raise three
sons; have six grandchildren that are the stars of their lives. Earl
and Norma traveled together from coast to coast, border to border
and beyond. It was not uncommon to call their house on the weekend
to find out they were not home but out enjoying themselves on the
lake fishing or just taking a weekend drive somewhere to see
something different.
Things we will
always remember about Earl, he was caring, he was giving, he loved
positive things and disliked negative things. Earl would always get
excited when someone excelled. He loved to see people achieve beyond
their expectations. Earl always appreciated positive attitudes. Earl
would get excited about a new challenge or a new opportunity. He
continuously was studying and looking for new ideas to make
something better. He loved to see people work together and achieve
great things. He loved business and the opportunity to work with
business people.
Earl was a father
figure to many people. He had a comforting nature about himself. The
lives he has touched and his legacy will live on for generations.
Earl left behind a strong family with a strong family bond. This
family bond will continue and we will never forget the importance
that Earl played in building this bond that will live on. Earl will
be missed but the way he has touched our lives will live on in all
of us forever.
