Dr. Thomas L. Longnecker

Dr. Thomas L. Longnecker, age 79, of Long Beach, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Thomas was born in Los Angeles, CA on November 9, 1945. He was a dedicated educator who enjoyed teaching math and science. He also loved coaching girls’ soccer and was very proud of his winning team.

Thomas had many hobbies including composing music, acting and directing local community theatre, astronomy, crypto quotes, Legos for grown-ups, and tracking hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. He was a World War II history buff and besides English, was proficient in Russian, German, and Spanish.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Lonnie Carson and sister, Julie Longnecker.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Bonnie Longnecker; daughters, Beth Anne Smith (Luis) and Sarah Bernfeld (Ben); stepson, Jeff Russell (Emily); stepdaughters, Heather Negrotto (Brian) and Hollie Knapp. He is also survived by his “bonus sister” who he found later in life, Tracy Durant (Ted); nine grandchildren, Bridget, Axel, Otto, Ida, Kaleb, Clayton, Connor, Rhys, and Beth; and his faithful canine companion, Raiden.

“Mot” sends a special adios amigo to “Einnor”, his childhood friend in El Paso. They shared a love of art, fast cars, Mad Magazines, and taking trips to Juarez, Mexico on their bicycles to buy beer.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport, followed by a procession at 1:00 p.m. to Long Beach Cemetery, South Girard and West 1st Street, Long Beach, MS, for a graveside service officiated by Pastor Mike Barbera. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Longnecker family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated medical teams at Gulfport Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care during their time of need.

 “We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.” 1 Chronicles 29:15