Dates
Sidney Joe Long, was born November 29 th , 1936 to Ishmael and Pearle Long in Big Valley, Texas. Early life was spent raising sheep, cattle, peanuts, cotton, hay and other crops. Of those, sheep was his passion. He also loved to spend time with his mother and uncle Orville and Billy Hale, hunting and fishing. After completing high school, he attended Texas Tech University where he received his BS in Agricultural Education. While at Tech he was also a member of the Texas Tech Livestock Judging Team and worked at the campus Dairy. He married Carolyn Cauble from Roby, Texas in 1958 and moved to Starkville, Mississippi where he earned his MS degree in Animal Science from Mississippi State University and was the herdsman for the Mississippi State Farm. In 1960, Sid became the Ag Teacher at Gail, Texas where he taught there 16 years.
In 1976 the family moved to Robert Lee where he taught 15 years and retired in 1991 after 31 years as an Ag Teacher. He served on multiple state committees while teaching and also served as the President of the Ag Teachers Association of Texas. Sid was a master teacher both in the classroom and in the shop. He had a deep passion for training leadership and judging teams and coached many championship teams. He also loved stock showing and had students compete successfully in both lamb and hog shows across Texas. He loved the FFA and his influence is still felt today in many aspects of the organization. Sid received many distinguished awards throughout his career but one award that he was most proud of was presented to him by the College of Agriculture at Texas Tech: the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
After retiring from teaching in 1991, he became the Executive Secretary for the Southern Rolling Plains and Blacklands Cotton Producers Association where he spearheaded the Boll Weevil Eradication Program in Texas. He later became the CEO of the Concho Valley Electric Coop where he managed the company for 5 years.
Sid was a devoted father and husband. He spent endless hours hunting, fishing, stock showing, traveling to sporting events with his kids. He took great pride in each one of them and loved them so much. He and Carolyn worked together and raised a great family together.
Sid loved the Ranch at Sterling City. He loved having a place to go to and enjoy the outdoors. He loved raising show lambs with his sons and spent countless hours lambing and working with their sheep. He also loved to hunt deer and enjoyed the sport with his family. The ranch was his place to get away and he loved it so much.
Sid loved his Lord and Savior. He was a deacon at the Robert Lee Baptist Church and had many responsibilities there. He taught Sunday School for 58 years and enjoyed running the sound equipment at the church. His greatest gift to his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and people that were around him was his love for the Lord.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ish and Pearle Long. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Long and sister, Judy and Husband Eddie Minter of Arlington, 3 children, Richard Long and wife, Deann, Scot Long and wife Shelli of Sterling City. Linetta Long of Dallas. 5 Grandchildren: Colton Long and wife Hilary of Amarillo, Clayton Long of San Angelo, Mason Long and wife Ashely and MaHaley Long of Sterling City. Sidnie Long of Dallas. 4 awesome great grandkids: Bryson, Jentry, Maci and Nolan. The family would like to thank special friends, Joe and Donna Ash for their Love for Mom and Dad. In leu of flowers, memorials can be made to Kindred Hospice or the Robert Lee Care Center.
Visitation will be at Shaffer Funeral Home in Robert Lee, Sunday, April 10 th at 6-8 pm with Services at Robert Lee Baptist Church, Monday April 11 th at 10am.