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David Long Obituary
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David was born in Roxana, DE on November 2, 1927 the youngest of six children to the late Fred and Maddie (Cooper) Long. He grew up on a farm in Roxana where his dad farmed and sold honey while him mom helped on the farm and vaccinated chickens. Growing up so close to the ocean he enjoyed fishing, swimming and hunting for rabbits with his dogs. His mother would fry rabbit for breakfast and cook duck or fish for supper.
His great great great grandfather David James Long fought in the Revolutionary War and Dave continued the family tradition by serving in the Merchant Marines after high school and carried supplies to the armed forces during WWII. He saw the world, Africa, Asia, Europe and South Asia. The adventures he had would fill a book which he did write, and instilled in him a lifetime love for travel.
He married Betty Jean McCabe and two years later the twins were born. The family moved to Virginia, where Dave worked for Plant Engineering. Betty and the twins would come to Delaware for the summers and Dave would spend long weekends in Delaware. In 1972, the family moved back to Delaware for good. Dave got his real estate and broker license and owned and operated DJ Long Real Estate for over 25 years.
David grabbed life with both hands and was always up for an adventure. He loved to read, garden, fish, hunt, explore history and have a nice drink of Jack Daniels. The world will never be the same without David James Long, Sr.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his five siblings, Horace, Florence, Edna, Tink and Madelyn and his beloved dog, Ali. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Betty Jean (McCabe) Long; his twins, David J. Long Jr. and his wife Sara Beth of Ocean View, DE and Dawn Barnes and her husband, Terry of Bedford, PA; three grandchildren, David J. Long, III and his wife, Kristy, Benjamin Barnes and Andrew Barnes and four great grandchildren, Summer Long, Courtney Long, Hunter Barnes and Remi Barnes.
A visitation will be held from 3-4 PM on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Rd., Ocean View, DE 19970.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in David's name to the Brandywine Valley SPCA by visiting www.bvspca.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Robert Southard
May 13, 2025
Uncle Dave was my mother's ( Flora Rae Long Southard Heyesey ) brother. Uncle Dave was helping me do research on a book I am writing about his brother, my Uncle Walton "Tink " Long; concerning his captivity by the Japanese in April 1942, while serving on the USS Pigeon in Cavite, Philippines and was in the infamous " Bataan Death March " and later transferred in one of the " Hell Ships " to a POW camp in Sendai, Japan for three years the Camp was liberated in September 1945, Uncle Tink retired from the US Navy as a well decorated CPO.
Uncle Dave and I would spend much time on the phone reminiscing about the past and doing research on Uncle Tinks captivity...
I miss the conversations with Uncle Dave greatly...My you RIP Uncle Dave!...May God comfort his loving family...
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Deb/Tony Martin
September 1, 2024
Our sincere condolences to the Long family. Tony and I had the absolute pleasure of visiting with Dave and Betty Jean on numerous occasions. We always enjoyed their company and the exchange of family stories. We rented a boat slip from them and then eventually purchased the slip which we still own to this day. Dave sure lived life to the fullest and loved his family. Hats off to a life well lived.
John Terrell
August 26, 2024
We've know each other since 1972. Dave was always quick with a smile and to tell something positive. One of the favorite things he would say is "you're on top of the world" or "you've got everything going for you."
It is amazing how endearing it is to hear something positive from an older friend.
He also use to tell me often to not let C.J. and David get me in any trouble. That was good advice too!
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38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, DE 19970
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