Verner James “Jimmy” Long Jr.

Funeral services for Verner James “Jimmy” Long Jr., 66, of Rusk are scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, July 2, 2007 in First Baptist Church in Rusk with Rev. Lee Welch and Rev. Jim Goforth officiating. Interment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home in Rusk.

Mr. Long died June 29, 2007 at his residence. He was born February 12, 1941 in Jacksonville. He was a lifelong resident of Rusk.

He retired in 1993 as a Sign Man from the Texas Department of Transportation after 30 plus years of service. He served in the United States Navy from September 21, 1960 until June 26, 1964. He was a member of First Baptist Church for 34 years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Rusk. He was also manager of Cherokee Airport for 6 years.

Mr. Long is preceded in death by his father Verner James Long Sr., mother, Sydna LaVelle Dodd Long, and stepmother, Charlene Chapmon Long. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, James Eric and Dana Diane Long of Rusk, Ryan Neal and Tammy Long of Rusk, mother of his children, Glenda Merriwether Long of Rusk, one brother and sister-in-law, Robert Byron “Bobby” and Patti Long of Tyler, three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Lila Jean and David Murray of Rusk, Judy Faye and Kelley Garner of Rusk, Rosemary Gould of Jacksonville, granddaughters, Sydna Brooke Long of Rusk, Faith Caroline Long of Rusk, Kristine Morgan Long of Rusk, Ashlyn Jade Long of Rusk, several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Pallbearers will include William E. Tosh, Harold “Buz” Parrish, Billy W. Sessions, James Campbell, George Covington, and Don Wood. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Davis, Charles Henry Jones, Hugh McKean, Sam Florian, and Bo Kisinger.

Family will receive friends from 7- 9 p.m., Sunday, July 1, 2007 at the funeral home. If desired memorials may be made to First Baptist Church building fund, p.o. box 258, Rusk, TX 75785.

Information from The Jacksonville Daily Progress