James Ray Long

A funeral service for James Ray Long, 77, of Gainesville, will be held Monday 1:00 PM Monday, February 17, 2020 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. John Fleming officiating.  The burial will follow in New Resthaven Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Mr. Long passed away on February 6, 2020 in Gainesville.  He was born on March 30, 1942 to Ralph Edwin Long and Ella Louese Opsal in Gainesville.

James graduated from Gainesville High School in 1960 and started working at National Supply Company as a time keeper.  There he met Betty Ann Goldsmith and they later married on March 23, 1963.  They had six children together.

After National Supply, James started working with his good friend, Delbert West in his surveying company, until his retirement.

James love to volunteer at his church, First United Methodist, by maintaining church grounds when needed and volunteering at Second Time Around.

James also loved taking care of his family home in which he was born and lived.  As a child he and his brother Wilburn, and his sisters Alice and Sara Ann, shared many great memories here at the “Old Farm”.  With Long family tradition, the family, children, and grandchildren, along with many extended family members, continued to gather here.

Everyone knew James and he never met a stranger.  He was always willing to help anyone he could, whether it was the use of his trailer or help with a vehicle, he would be there.

James had many hobbies from woodworking to bicycles, or just enjoying his family, he did it all.  He will be greatly missed!

James was preceded in death by his parents, sister Alice Richardson, and mother of his children Betty Long.

James is survived by brother Wilburn Long and his wife MaryAnn of Fort Worth; sister Sara Ann Kelly of Tecumseh, OK; children Lee Long of Gainesville, Michael Long and his fiancé Brooke Marsolek of Frisco, Cheri Newman and her husband Brad of Ada, OK, Camie Sokolosky and her husband David of Corinth, Jamie Long and his wife Gina of Gainesville, and Crystal Davidson of Gainesville; grandchildren, Colby Long, Riley Clifton, Levi and Landon Long, Cole Newman, Landry Sokolosky, JD and Jacob Long, Chance and Caleigh Jones, and Kenadee Jones; great-grandchildren Noah and Adley Long, Jayden and Jax Long, Lucas Tipps, and Jace Vasquez.

James is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.