RICHARD THOMAS LONGMAN

RICHARD THOMAS LONGMAN, 94, of Houston, Texas passed from this life peacefully at his son's home in Kerrville on Monday, July 19, 2010, surrounded by his loving family.Born in Dublin Township, Minnesota on June 11, 1916, he was the son of George F. and Ellen T. (Cleary) Longman. He lived in Houston for 65 years before coming to Kerrville.Richard served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII, as a navigator in a B-17 Bomber, flying out of England. He was shot down in February of 1944 and spent 16 months as a POW in Stalag Luft 1. During the Korean War, he served as a Navigator/Instructor at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston and was honorably discharged in 1953 as a First Lieutenant.On August 11, 1945, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Houston, he married Betty Smith, a union that would last 65 years and bless them with 5 children.Mr. Longman did his undergraduate studies at St. Ambrose University in Iowa and received his Masters Degree in Chemistry from the University of Iowa.With this background he was employed as a Research Chemist for Shell Oil Company at Shells' Deer Park and Bellaire locations.He was a member of the Mt. Carmel and St. Thomas Moore parishes in Houston for a total of 55 years.Richard was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who never met a stranger, thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends and, sustaining lifelong friendships.Richard - a true lover of sports - closely followed professional and college football, baseball and basketball teams throughout his life.Mr. Longman was predeceased by his parents and 8 siblings.Those left to honor and cherish his memory are his wife, Betty Smith Longman of Houston and Kerrville; his children, Richard T. Longman and wife, Judy, Susan Longman Dziedzic and husband, Cleo, Gary Longman and wife Petra, Michelle Longman Stelly and husband, John, and Randy Longman and wife, Michelle; ten grandchildren, Kevin, Ryan, Mike, Jeff, Kim, Adam, Tina, Kyla, Dylan and Dustin and nine great grandchildren.Visitation will be held at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, 10330 Hillcroft St, Houston, on Thursday evening, July 22, 2010 from 7-9PM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 7:30pm.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 9:30AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Committal service with military honors will be held at Houston National Cemetery, Houston, TX at 12:30PMThe family suggests that donations in his name be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Disabled American Veterans Association.The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kerrvillefuneralhome.com by selecting Obituaries. Select "Sign Guestbook" at the bottom of the individual Memorial.Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals atKerrville Funeral Home.(830) 895-5111