Walton Leonard Long

1919 - 2010

Walton L. Long passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 16, 2010 after a lengthy illness.

He was a long time resident of the Ojai Valley, having moved to Ojai from Orange County in 1955. He was born in Anaheim on June 2, 1919. His mother, born Maria Schmid, had come to the United States from Germany as a young woman. His father, Jess Long, was a citrus farmer in Orange County. Walt grew up In Orange County, helping on the family citrus farms. He graduated from Anaheim High School and attended Fullerton Junior College. He also studied music, and became an accomplished violinist.

Walt and his brother Wilbur, while in their twenties, took over management of the family farms when their father passed away. Together, they invented and built a machine that allowed a single operator to drive and spray insecticides on citrus trees, which was featured in agricultural magazines during that time. In the early days of World War II, Walt enlisted in the United States Navy, and served honorably until the end of the war, mostly on islands in the South Pacific.

Near the end of the war, he met and soon married Marjorie Blodgett, the love of his life. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Oct. 12, 2010. They have four children, Jess, Janis, Johanna and Mary.

Along with his citrus farming, Walt developed an interest in horse racing, and began successfully breeding and training Quarter Horses for the track in the 1950s. His most successful race horses included Baby Jani, Toyon Kid, Samia Gamal and the stallion Honest Abe, winning races throughout the Southwest at tracks such as Los Alamitos, Bay Meadows and Turf Paradise.

Walt also served as a Director and Vice-President of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association. He later became interested in breeding and racing Thoroughbred horses, and raised many fine Thoroughbreds as well. In 1955, with development encroaching on Orange County citrus ranching, Walt traveled to the Ojai Valley and fell in love with the citrus ranches in Ojai's East End. He and Wilbur soon purchased one, and Walt moved his family there, where he continued to grow oranges and breed horses for many years.

The family partnership, Long Brothers, also owned and managed two lemon farms in Ventura County. Walt was active in various local organizations, including the Ojai Valley Ranchers' Association, the San Antonio School Board, the Ojai Trails Association and several citrus packing and shipping associations. Walt and his family enjoyed vacation trips to various destinations in Canada, Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico. The family also took pleasure in boating and fishing in local waters, as well as participating in many equestrian events.

Walt greatly enjoyed attending large extended family reunions and gatherings. In the 1980s Walt and Marge traveled extensively in the United States, visiting friends and many historical sites, including the battlefields of the Civil War and the Alamo.

Walt is survived by his wife, Marjorie; brother, Wilbur Long; son, Jess Long; daughter and son-in-law, Janis and Jay Nicholas; daughters, Johanna Long and Mary Long; grandson, Skyler Ditchfield and his wife Lindsey; grandson, Ryan Hauf; granddaughter, Amy Nicholas; grandson, Travis Nicholas; nieces, Misty Groth and Kathleen Lenski; and great-granddaughter, Kyla Ditchfield; as well as many beloved relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.

There will be visitation from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, and a funeral service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Joseph Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura; 643-8623.