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Tom DeLong Obituary

DeLONG, TOM, 68
Ocala - Tom DeLong, 68, died on July 1, 2011 of a stroke. You may have known of him as Coach DeLong, teacher, or professional baseball scout for the Tampa Bay Rays. You may also have known him as someone who played tennis, racquetball, or golf. If you got up before daylight, you may have seen him jogging. His parents, Ethel and John DeLong of Reading, PA, pre-deceased him. He left behind his wife of over 46 years, Mary Ann DeLong, daughter of Ann Fiduk of Ocala. He also left behind a brother-in-law, Bill Warren, Sr. (Sandy), of Air Power Plus in Ocala, and a sister-in-law, Lenore Lord Phillips, CPA, of Celebration and Ocala, FL. He also leaves behind very loving nieces and nephews, Wendy Lord, David Lord (Denise), Karen Mizner (Eric), Brett Warren (Wendy) and Bill Warren, Jr., as well as very special great-nieces and nephews and a host of wonderful, caring friends. Tom retired from teaching after 28 years at Anthony Elementary School. He had previously played professional baseball with the Detroit Tigers' Minor League teams in Daytona Beach, FL and Jamestown, NY. Prior to coming to Marion County, he taught and coached in Reading, PA. After retiring from teaching, he was a professional baseball scout. He retired from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009. Tom was never just a teacher or scout or husband or uncle or other family member. He always went above and beyond what you might expect in all areas of his life. Tom did not want a funeral, but the family will have a "Post Game Celebration" on Thursday, August 18, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at Anthony Elementary School Multi-purpose Room, 9501 NE Jacksonville Rd, Anthony, FL 32617. If you choose to attend, wear your favorite sport's team colors/attire or come as you are. This will be a very casual event. A snack will be provided upon entrance and the celebration will be as brief as we can make it and still have it be a meaningful way to say good-bye to someone very special. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Tom's memory to the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, 1239 NW 4th Street, Ocala, FL 34475, or to the Humane Society of Marion County, 701 NW 14th Road, Ocala, FL 34475. Arrangements by Countryside Funeral Services, Anthony, FL.

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Published by Ocala Star-Banner from Aug. 14 to Aug. 15, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom DeLong

Sponsored by Mary Ann DeLong.

25 Entries

H James Hulton III

May 27, 2025

I am Tom's cousin, H James Hulton III. We grew up together in Reading, PA for several years. He was 2 years older than I. He was my idol because of his baseball player abilities. I wanted to be as good as he was, but could never make the grade. I was shocked to find out he passed away in 2011 at age 68 or 69. I was age 67 then. I am now 80. I miss him very much, as well as his parents, Uncle Johnny and Aunt Ethel. God bless all of them. May they rest in peace.

H James Hulton III (I am his surviving cousin)

August 8, 2024

I will always remember my great cousin Tommy and his parents, my Aunt Ethel and Uncle Johnny. They were such great, kind, and loving people. Tommy will always be my favorite baseball player. I was also a baseball player in high school and college, but I could never play as well as he did. But we were both left-handed players! At least I had one great quality he had as a player! I miss him to this day, and Mary Ann. May Tommy rest in peace. Jim Hulton, 1408 Avenel Blved., North Wales, PA 19454

H James Hulton III

August 8, 2023

Mary Ann, Wherever you ae, I hope you are well and doing well. I miss Tom as you still do, I am sure. He was very great cousin and my favorite professional baseball player. Take care, Jim Hulton

H James Hulton III

August 8, 2023

I just made a donation in memory of my cousin Tommy to the Public Education FDN of Marion County, FL. He still lives on in my heart! Tommy, to me, was the greatest baseball player and cousin a guy could ever know. I still miss him deeply. Rest in peace, Tommy, You're the best! Cousin Jimmy Hulton

H.James Hulton III

August 26, 2021

I am Tom's cousin, Jim. I always looked up to Tom, thought he was a role model. I am still shocked to this day he is gone. He is missed very much. He will always be my role model and favorite baseball player. Rest in peace, Tom.

Rob Rothstein

August 8, 2012

God Bless Tom! I think of him all the time;especially when I'm at Publix! I still look for him! Such a pity that a man that ran miles and took care of himself is deceased........and I'm 235 pounds, smoke and drink......sometimes life just isn't fair.......

Rob Rothstein........a friend for 40 years..........

Cousin Jimmy Hulton

August 8, 2012

I still think of Tommy and in continued shock that he is gone already. I wonder how Mary Ann is doing and her family. My mother (Tommy's Aunt Doris) still does not know and I will not tell her. Tommy is with both his parents now and that is a good thing. He is missed! Blessings to all.

Rob Rothstein

May 20, 2012

It's been nine months since Tom's untimely passing and I still look for him at Publix when I go there. I still find it difficult to believe that Tom's gone....but he IS in a better place...checking out the tennis courts and golf courses...

Bottom line: I really miss him!

Mike Bitting

May 18, 2012

So sad to learn Mr. DeLong has passed. I was fortunate to be a part of the basketball team at Southwest jr. High when he coached. I still tell people today how he would take the team to see the Philadelphia 76'ers in his car along with the other coaches, & had us to his house for dinner after the season! There has to be a special place in heaven for him.

Cousin Jimmy Hulton III

January 20, 2012

I still think of Tommy, hard to really acknowledge he is gone, and of you, Mary Ann, wondering how you are. My mother, Tommy's Aunt Doris, still does not know. She will see Tommy in Heaven when she passes on from her frailty and
other illnesses. Blessings to you, Mary Ann, and your family in Ocala.

Judith (Festa) Meldahl

October 25, 2011

Mary Ann -

Another voice from Reading, PA where I knew Tom as a neighbor, classmate, and friend ... starting in the 5th grade. While I am saddened by your loss, I am happy to read of the positive impact that Tom had on the lives of many. Some memories are not dimmed by years. Please accept my condolences.

Cousin Jimmy Hulton

October 24, 2011

I have not yet told my mother, Tommy's Aunt Doris, about Tommy being gone. I probably won't. It would just destroy her world. Mother is elderly and very ill, so I tell her that Tommy is out there scouting. Yes, he is there with all the other great baseball field of angels.

Pete Desjardins

October 23, 2011

I have many fond memories of my friend Tom, as we were in homeroom together at RHS and baseball teammates for three years. He will surely be missed by his family, as he certainly is by me and his friends here in Reading, PA.

H. James Hulton III

August 24, 2011

Mary Ann,
It is still so unbelievable about Tommy. Never would I have thought I would learn this in my lifetime, or so soon. Unimaginable. I always looked up to Tommy as a great ball player, an idol, a great cousin! We had great times together as kids. I remember the used baseball glove he gave me when I was about 15. It was the greatest thing in the world I could have gotten then. I was delighted! That glove was going to make me a better ball player, just like he was! Just because that glove was once his. I was proud to have it, and it did make me a better player. I loved that glove! I was so grateful for having had used it myself. That glove and Tommy will live on forever in my heart, mind, and soul as one of the greatest highlights of my life.

Love and blessings to you, Mary Ann.

Cousin Jimmy (Hulton)
707Amberley Drive
Blue Bell, PA 19422

Tiffany Vanlue

August 23, 2011

Cherish all of your memories as I will! Coach DeLong was my coach along with my son at Anthony! He was a leader at the time their were no "low fat" milk in school he just made us run and stay active! I use to see him take off for his afternoon run around town. God Bless his family. Tiffany Vanlue

Calvis Jones

August 21, 2011

I remember his tan and that he was a huge Gator fan! He was one of my favorite teachers. He will be missed!

Quiana (Wilkerson) Vidal

August 21, 2011

Coach DeLong taught my favorite class at Anthony Elementary, PE. I have very fond memories of running laps and playing Gator Ball. He was such an inspiration and will be missed.

Mike Critchfield

August 15, 2011

They broke the mold when they made this guy. Tom was a gem and one of a kind. I was so privileged to have gotten to play tennis with him these last 4 or 5 years. He will be missed, but I'm sure there is a lot more fun going on up above now. Wish I could have gotten to meet you, Mary Ann, but please accept my deepest sympathy.

Cheryl Kiser

August 15, 2011

Mary Ann,
It was such a shock to read this. I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Tammy Hurst

August 15, 2011

I was a student at Anthony Elem= Coach Delong was the best coach that a kid could have == as I grew up I remember him jogging down the road in Anthony = Coach Delong will be missed - Tammy HUrst

Windy Fulford Smith

August 15, 2011

I was taught by Coach Delong while attending Anthony Elem. I will always have fond memories of him. His signature whistle, visor, coaching shorts and TAN were just HIM! Thank you for all the memories you helped provide me at Anthony. Flag football, dodgeball, and many, many more! You will be missed.

Rob Rothstein

August 15, 2011

I was totally shocked to read of Tom's passing! He was so physically fit! I shall always remember Tom as a great guy and consider him to have been a good friend who will be sorely missed! My heart goes out to Mary Ann and I extend my sincerest sympathies.

Coach Rothstein
Ft. McCoy Elementary 1972-2001
Vanguard High School 2002

Don Williams

August 15, 2011

From early elementary school through high school, Tom and I were the best of friends. We did everything together. We were almost inseparable. It was a time when, if you needed a pickup game, you went to the guys house to grag him to the playground. He was the one who was able to get the car when we had a basketball game at the Y or had practice at George Field. And we never abused the use. My, how times have changed. I guess he shared his early teaching days at Southwest Jr. High and his time with Ben Folk.
You know, we only lived a few doors from one another and yet seldom did we spend time inside. We were always playing some kind of ball.
Ellouise and I got married real early and made some tough decisions which took us on a different path. I regret not having continued our friendship through these later years. Those were the best times and I'll always remember them.
Don Williams (Valrico, FL.)

Bridget West Wilkins

August 14, 2011

Coach Delong was the best!! I remember him like it was yesterday, from my days at Anthony Elem (over 25 years ago!) He was so inspiring and kind. What a loss, but also what a gift we had while he was here. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family and friends, Bridget West Wilkins

Mary Ann and Roger Roberts

August 14, 2011

Mary Ann.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family. I remember seeing Tom...almost always outside...with the children at Anthony Elementary School as I would come and go from work at the Anthony Post Office. What a comfort it was to know they were in such capable hands. We are so sorry for your loss and extend our sincere sympathy.

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