Leonard LeRoy Long

Leonard LeRoy Long died September 16, 2018 of acute renal failure.

He was born December 13, 1938 in Sheridan, Wy., to Leonard Clair Long and Kathryn Pearl Clark Long.  He joined older siblings Vernon, Jeanne, Sylvan, Charlotte and Patricia, and was followed by sister Colleen.

His family moved to Pocatello, Id., when he was about 8 yrs old.  They moved to Montpelier when he was 11.  During his high school years, he worked on several ranches in Bear Lake County and near Cokeville, Wy., and loved his time on the high school basketball team.  Following graduation from Montpelier High School, he moved to Butte, Mt., and went to work for the Anaconda Company.  During his years in Montana he attended 2.5 years of mechanical engineering at Butte school of mines. In Butte, he met and married Judy Burland.  Daughter Cynthia Suzanne and son Steven Gregory were born there.  Then followed the tragic death of two still born children, one of whom was buried in Butte, and another in Montpelier, Id.  Happily Lisa Ann was safely delivered in Montpelier.  Another relationship resulted in the birth of Tamara Campbell, and later Amy LaRae Norris from another relationship.  In 1972 he and Judy Probart Met, and in 1974 began a lifelong partnership.  LeRoy’s children then became Judy’s children, too.

He worked in many aspects of the tire business for 25 years.  He later managed Kirkham Auto Parts in Montpelier for 8 years until the company downsized and closed the store.  He worked two years for Tri State Inc. in Montpelier in the parts department, and was then employed by Lanny Weston as a ranch hand in Dingle for one year.  Following that he worked three years for NJL Helmet Company in Paris, Id.  In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, he and Judy spent seven years working part time as range riders for Maple Canyon Cattle Association and Bailey Creek Cattle Association.  In 1996 he and Judy bought a small ranch in Nounan Valley where he spent the rest of his life.

He was a hard worker, with a strong work ethic, and was remarkably capable.  He was able to weld using acetylene and electric welding, do much machine repair and was able to operate most heavy equipment.  He was an excellent horse trainer, farrier, and very savvy at handling cattle and horses.  In Nounan, he built their barn and corrals, and except for concrete work, did most of construction on the house he and Judy built.  He and Judy were fortunate to have had a lot of good help from friends and family with these projects.

He loved hunting and had an uncanny ability to know how elk and deer would use the land.  In the mid 1980’s he was joyfully involved in drag racing snow machines in Wyoming.  He loved recreational snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and basketball. LeRoy was a devoted Jazz fan.  He was most happy visiting with and helping friends and neighbors.  Above all he loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 

He is succeeded by his wife, Judy, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and sisters Charlotte Grunig and Colleen Jensen.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Vernon Harrsch, Sylvan Harrsch, Jeane Harrsch Hunsaker, and Patricia Long Abbott.

A celebration of Life will be held October 6th at 11:00 am at Schwab-Matthews Mortuary in Montpelier.  Friends and family are invited to a potluck lunch and bull session after the service at the Senior Center in Montpelier.  The location of the potluck changed from the Long residence to the Senior Center.

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