Richard Lee "Dick" Long, 87, of Charleston, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Thomas Memorial Hospice Center.
Richard was born August 16, 1928, to the late Nobel Milton Long and Glenna Richards Long. His father, Nobel, was also a Funeral Director and Dick decided to follow his father's footsteps. So after graduating from Stonewall Jackson High School, he attended and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science to become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer with the West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners. Later he would go on to achieve his emeritus funeral service license. Richard was honored by the Charleston Gazette on December 6, 2010, when Sandy Wells interviewed him about his career and impressive antique automobile collection. Richard loved all his animals: dogs, cats, especially Yogi III.
Dick owns Long & Fisher Funeral Home in Sissonville and Long & Fisher Funeral Home in Charleston on Rebecca Street and Pryor Funeral Home, East Bank. He served the communities for 50 years providing ambulance service in addition to funeral care. He was also the former owner of Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Pocatalico and Jackson County Memory Gardens in Ripley.
Dick was a 50 year member and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Orient of West Virginia. He was a lifetime member of Charleston Moose Lodge 1444 and also a 50 year member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a 50 year member of the A.F. & A.M. Grand Lodge no. 168, South Charleston. He was a 48 year member of the Elks Lodge No. 202, Charleston. He was member of the Royal Order of Jesters 111 in Charleston. On May 23, 2000, he received the West Virginia Funeral Directors Association Certificate of Achievement. Dick and his wife, Nancy were former members of Berry Hills Country Club and Edgewood Country Club, but have not been able to attend and enjoy the superior food because of Dick's declining health.
In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his daughter, Danni Jo Long Hedrick; sisters, Joyce Ann Habel, Geraldine Long Hemrick and Colleen Carpenter; brother, Jackson Long; and a son-in-law, Bill McDavid.
Survived by his wife of 27 years, Nancy Sergent-Long, at home; daughters, Diana Long-McDavid of Charleston, Donna Long-Peele of Hatteras, N.C. and Denise Long Burgess (Mike) of South Charleston; grandsons, Nathan Moynahan, Dr. and Mrs. Brian Ellison, Gage Hedrick, who is attending Ohio State University, Dr. and Mrs. Aaron Burgess and Dr. Andrew Burgess.
Service and Interment was private. Please no food or flowers, but a donation of cat or dog food to your local animal shelter would be appreciated.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.longfisherfuneralhome.com.