George Long Jr

George Emery Long was born February 3, 1925, to Porter Davis and Minnie Powell Long on the family farm in Ashley, Vernal, Utah. He was the youngest of six siblings, Nora , Ruby, Gene, Porter, and a brother who died in infancy.

George passed away peacefully at home on the same family farm, Saturday, January 12, 2012.

George grew up and attended schools in Vernal, graduating from Uintah High School. After a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during WW II, George returned to his home in Ashley where he met and fell lin love with Reva Chivers. They were married November 12, 1947, then sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple in October of 1963. Reva passed away in October of 2010.

George and Reva lived in Bonanza, Vernal, Salt Lake City, Montpelier, Idaho, then back to Vernal where George worked in the mill and mining industry until his retirement from Stauffer Chemical (phosphate plant) in 1981.

Since that time, his most important life work has been gathering, writing and publishing personal and geographical histories which he has been doing for nearly 40 years. Many of the histories have been published in the Vernal Express. His book, "A Narrative History of Uintah County" was published in 2007 with the help of staff at Utah State University. Hundreds of copies have been purchased and enjoyed.

George had a special gift of remembering individuals and saving the information gathered from them during many hours and days of visits. He has written several personal histories for families in addition to his published works. He also collected antique farm machinery including tractors and thrashing machines. Several of which he restored to working condition and displayed in parades and used on the family homestead to create an old fashioned "thrashing day" for the public to enjoy.

George was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served faithfully in many callings over the years. He was a Sunday School Superintendent, scout leader, Vernal Temple worker, and a home teacher for 50 years. The highlight of his church service was the Family History Mission that he and Reva served together at the Granite Vaults in Salt Lake City in 1996-97. They were among the last group of missionaries to actually serve "in" the vaults.

As a very active member of the community, he has belonged to the Historical Society, and received a special award from the Utah State Historical Society for his work. He was instrumental in restoring and marking numerous historical sights throughout Uintah County. He was a member of the American Legion and participated in the Military Ceremonies for numerous veterans from all branches of service and wars. He was particularly proud of serving at these funerals with his grandson, Vince Billings, who is currently deployed to Afghanistan with the Utah National Guard.

Also a member of the Wrinkle Club and the Uintah Club, a service organization that visits the elderly, shut ins, Bee Hive House and Care Center residents on a weekly basis, providing entertainment and companionship for these special people. He also spent many hours visiting individual friends and then was given the ultimate honor by being requested to speak at their funerals. He was a true friend to many in the basin. He will surely be missed.

His newest opportunity to serve has been with his good friend George Coonradt, providing L.D.S. Church services weekly for inmates at the Uintah County Jail. He has especially enjoyed this unique experience and enlarged his compassion as he became acquainted with the men he taught. He certainly has lived the admonition, ..."when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)

George is survived by three children, Diana (Danny) and Milton Billings, Eugene (Huey) Long, George (Jody) and Patty Long. Fourteen grandchildren, many who have fond memories of fishing, camping on the mountain and spending the night at Grandma Reva and Grandpa George's watching tv and sleeping on the living room floor. Thirty two great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

We're happy that you are together again. We will always love and miss you.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 11:00AM at the Ashley First Ward Chapel (3040 North Vernal Avenue). A viewing will be held Wednesday evening from 6~8pm at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home and Thursday 9:45 ~10:45AM at the Chapel. Burial will be in the Vernal Memorial Park with Military Honors provided by the American Legion and Utah National Guard.

Online condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com