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1903-1995
December 23, 1903, Lloyd was born the third son to Oklahoma pioneers, Kotella May Lones Long and William Corbon Long. Will and Kotella had made their home on a farm five miles east of Manchester and one mile south of the Kansas line where he staked a claim when the Cherokee Outlet opened with the "Cherokee Strip Run" in 1893.
In grade school, Lloyd became interested in livestock and under the direction of Fred Merrifield, Grant County's first County Agent, was an active club worker.
During his high school years, Lloyd played football and was active on the Wakita Debate Team which won the district contest for two years. Lloyd also wrote the following in his memoirs. “By the time I was in my senior year of high school, I had a bundle wagon of my own and slept where the thrashing crew was working. Each day I got up, fed my team in the feed box at the rear of the wagon, combed, brushed, and harnessed them. We usually slept on the hay rack using some wheat straw for a mattress. The team was tied to the side or the end of the wagon. By the time I had the team harnessed, breakfast would be ready. I walked to the cook shack, ate by kerosene lamp, and was back to my team in the field by daybreak. The thrasher always started at sunup. The days were long yet everyone enjoyed working together.
While traveling with the thrashing crew, I made enough money to think was rich! As I recall, I had accumulated $175.00 when I started off to college, which I thought was enough to put me through college — at least it was enough to get me industrious enough to think about going to college.”
No date was mentioned but Lloyd also wrote, “ Professor Acree, and Clara Meeker, a lady evangelist at a meeting where I was converted, along with the Rev. A. M. Wollock had much to do with my turn around in life. I can well remember the spot on our home place where I made the decision to commit myself to God. (NW Qtr. 22-29-7)” This was the homestead where he was born.
After graduation from Wakita High School in 1922, Lloyd entered Oklahoma A & M College at Stillwater, Oklahoma. (In 1957 the college was renamed Oklahoma State University.) Lloyd writes, “At first I wanted to play football so much that I finally told dad that I could make it on my own — I didn’t need his help. My bank balance was $185.00, and besides that, I had a scholarship that paid me $75.00 per year. I went to school with my brother, Bill, who was a senior at A. & M. College that year. He had a Harley Davidson motorcycle with a side car, so we loaded all of our belongings in it and kissed mother good-bye. Dad shook hands with Bill, then came around to me in the side car and took my hand, and said, ‘If you ever need help, let me know, but don't you ever play a game of football!’ Then we were off to Stillwater, which was 110 miles away.
When we arrived on campus, and I saw those college football players who weighed 225 pounds plus, it didn’t take long for my dream of playing college football to fade for I only weighed 148 pounds and was not very fast.” As it turned out, Lloyd had several jobs that helped to get him through college. He worked in a dormitory kitchen which provided some meals — whatever was leftover, a boarding house and part of the time lived at the YMCA. He was also the shoe shine boy for the C. P. Thacker Barber Shop.
While in college he was president of the YMCA and served as the first president of the Methodist Youth Group, presently called the Wesley Foundation.
Lloyd wrote that "in the Spring of 1923, during his freshman year, Jack Walton was installed as elected Governor of Oklahoma. He, at once, began replacing all appointed positions with his friends or those who helped get him elected. He decided to send a Mr. Wilson, who only had a masters degree from a small teachers college to be President of Oklahoma A & M. The faculty and students objected. ....As representative of the freshman class, Lloyd along with many other students went to the State Capital by car, chartered train -- anyway they could get there. When the Governor turned down their request for the college president be replaced, the students did a writing campaign to their state legislators and soon the legislature voted to impeach the Governor. Under the leadership of the new governor and the legislature, a Board of Regents was selected for the various colleges."
In his Junior year, he clerked for the National Chester White Show at the American Royal in Kansas City. Block and Bridal Club was one of his favorite activities. At this time, "Little International" was started at the college.
n 1924, Lloyd attended the most inspirational meeting of his young life. At the Student Volunteer Convention in Indianapolis, he associated with men such as E. Stanley Jones and Walter Judd whose influence remained in his memory and became a part of his life. This same year, he had the privilege of being asked and accepted the challenge to give the commencement address to the graduating seniors at Wakita, his hometown.
As a Major in R.O.T.C. in 1925-26, Lloyd distinguished himself as a rifle marksman. At summer camp, he won a place on the Rifle Team of the Eighth Co-Area, which represented the southwest area of the United States in national rifle matches at Camp Perry, Ohio on Lake Erie. These matches included the best riflemen from all colleges and universities, plus police forces and military branches. All member of the team won their share of matches, with Lloyd receiving expert Rifle Marksman and qualifying as a Rifle Instructor.
May of 1926, Lloyd graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. On May 22, two days before graduation, Lloyd was united in marriage to Blanche Ruth Clump, daughter of a pioneer family of Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Following graduation, they immediately moved to Billings, Oklahoma where Lloyd was associated with his brother, Charles, as a salesman of Ford tractors and industrial equipment. March 11, 1927 son Raymond Hal was born.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION
In 1929, Lloyd joined in a partnership with his father and moved his little family from Billings to the farm of his birth. This gave him an opportunity to be actively involved in farming and livestock raising in the Wakita-Manchester area. He was now able to use the knowledge accrued while studying for his Animal Husbandry degree in college. (His father had purchased a registered Hereford bull and ten registered heifers in 1923 which were Hazlett bred cattle.) May 1, 1929, their first daughter, Wanda Mae was born.
In a letter written by his mother Aug. 14, 1931, she says, "Lloyd went in harvest sick and came out sick. Dr. forbid him working in fields so his younger brother Don stayed out and plowed. He feels some better but looks bad. We are afraid he will have to give up farming."
MOVE TO GARBER
Again, in 1934, Lloyd moved his little family to Garber, Oklahoma where he purchased a struggling John Deere Agency from Tom Snoddy with the help of his brother, Charles Long, who co-signed a $600 note. This would prove to be the family's last major move. He arrived in Garber with $25.00 in his pocket ($15 for rent and $10 for groceries), a cow for milk, and Hal's little pony which was soon sold for $15. Son, Edwin Eugene, was born September 4, 1934 in the home exactly one block South of City Hall.
In 1937, Lloyd purchased a two story house on the hi-way three blocks west end of City Hall and the Longs John Deere dealership. He moved into his own John Deere building in 1938 when Mr. Ladusau moved his insurance business to Enid and the building became available. Mr. Ladusau recommended Lloyd sell insurance as well and hire his secretary Pauline Bullard who knew all about it.
May 4, 1939, the youngest child of the Longs, Elizabeth Ann was born. Her brothers and sister remember their dad calling upstairs announcing that they should hurry down, Queen Elizabeth arrived on the 2 o’clock train!
AGRICULTURE
During the late 30's and 40's, Lloyd helped many boys get their animals to the Kansas City American Royal Show. He was often found helping the 4-H and FFA members. One year he watched Garber become the 'Home of Champions' by winning the Grand Champion steer, Grand Champion barrow, and Grand Champion wether at the American Royal Show in Kansas City. During other years, he also enjoyed watching his son, Hal, show the Champion Hereford and son, Ed, show the Reserve Champion Hereford. For his unending service to FFA and 4-H, Lloyd was awarded an Honorary Junior Master Farmer Degree both in the local and state FFA associations.
In 1941, Lloyd was the National President of the Anti-Thief Association. In a note from the President of the Western Division of Oklahoma, it is said, "Never has there been a time when members of this Association should be more interested in worth while activities and to study how we may make our country stronger, and to give our Youth a feeling of security which comes through sane and reasonable living." The secretary of the same Oklahoma Division stated, "This organization is very essential at this time, as we have no protection from desperadoes other than from a small handful of Peace Officers, which is not enough to patrol our highways and rural communities."
Lloyd's farming interests were a lifetime pursuit. At one time, in partnership with his sons, he was farming over 3000 acres in the vicinity of Garber. They maintained a herd of 250 Registered Polled Herefords and held an annual production sale at their ranch which drew buyers from several states.
Many remember hearing Lloyd voicing his philosophy "If you cannot breed better cattle for the market, and leave the soil in better condition than when you received it, you are not a success, no matter how much financial return you have had." This belief system led to his involvement in many varied areas of soil conservation. He was one of the first farmers in the area to utilize commercial fertilizer. Stubble mulching his farm ground was also a soil conservation method which he undertook. He helped to organize the Garfield County Soil Conservation District and, in 1979, served on the Garfield County Board of Supervisors of the Soil Conservation Service. He served on the Red Rock Creek Flood Control Watershed Association as Contracting Officer, which had completed all funded lakes and when finished, had 33 lakes ranging from 10 to 125 acres in size.
Representing the needs of the Oklahoma wheat grower, Lloyd served several years as member, Secretary and President of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. This commission was established by the 1963 state legislature to promote wheat utilization, support wheat research, and support development of markets for wheat grown in OK. At the age of 72 (?) he traveled world-wide for the commission to search for new markets for OK wheat in several Asian and European Countries and visited with top agricultural leaders of those countries. Lloyd and Blanche have entertained many people who came from Pakistan, Japan, Switzerland, to name a few, who came to Oklahoma to investigate the attributes of the OK hard red winter wheat. Lloyd also often met with the United States Secretary of Agriculture to help him understand the plight of the American farmer. Millions of people around the world are being fed a higher protein diet and are living longer, healthier lives because of one concerned Oklahoma farmer who cared enough to get involved.
Because of his action in livestock circles and enterprises, Lloyd was involved in many offices and received many awards. Twice he served as president of the TOP of Oklahoma Polled Hereford Association. In 1938, he was National President of the Anti-Horse Thief Association which became the Anti-Thief Association. In 1970, he was honored by the Garfield County Farm-A-Rama with the Outstanding Farmer of the County Award. He was inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1970 by the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce. Lloyd is also in the OSU Hall of Fame for Animal Science. In 1977, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Oklahoma State University.
John Deere business sold to Hal and Ed…….
The Long's Polled Herefords were sold at a cattle dispersal sale May 8, 1989, one hundred and ninety nine lots were sold.
On Tuesday May 11, 1993, Longs' Polled Herefords sold at an auction at the home place all the farming equipment from tools to a combine — everything. The next day on May 12, in the big barn, there was a sale by auction of 1885 acres of land.
BUSINESS
In 1963, Lloyd was chosen to be a member of the Board of Directors of North West Oklahoma, Inc. which was a newly-formed organization of businessmen covering eleven counties to investigate and develop new industries for the area. Also, because he was concerned with what happened to Garfield County, Lloyd served on the Garfield County Industrial Authority as its chairman for approximately 10 years. As of 1979, this group was instrumental in creating new industry in Garfield County in an amount exceeding $85 million.
In 1989, at the age of 86, Lloyd was selected as The Enid Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" even though he lived in Garber.
OSU
Lloyd's great love for Oklahoma State University left a mark on Lloyd, his family and the University. Many awards have come his way. Lloyd and Blanche belonged to an informal organization of alumni and friends based on gifts of $1,000 or more to the University each year. They also created the 'Lloyd and Blanche Long Scholarship' which goes to a Senior Garber student planning to attend OSU and is chosen on church, community, and school involvement and scholarship abilities. A $10,000 service scholarship known as the 'Lloyd and Blanche Long Service Scholarship' was set up with the campus Wesley Foundation and is given to several students who will render service to the program and ministry of the Methodist Church Wesley Foundation. Lloyd and Blanche also set up a $25,000 endowment scholarship at OSU from which the interest returned is contributed to one student's college expenses. It is known as the President's Distinguished Scholarship.
GARBER
Lloyd and Blanche loved living in Garber and they were both involved in many community activities. In 1974, Garber honored them with the Distinguished Citizens of the year award. A few of the services that brought about his honor were: Mayor in 1959-60; active member and secretary of the Garber Chamber of Commerce many years; active member, officer and past president of the Rotary Club; past District Governor of Rotary International; Past Master of the Masonic Lodge; former Scoutmaster; parole advisor; and Fire Chief for several years. In the late 70's, Lloyd was one of the main organizers of the Senior Citizen's Center and hot meal carry-out program.
CHURCH
Throughout his years, Lloyd kept God as his co-worker. He is often the 'secret' one who mows the church lawn or shovels the snow on Sunday morning from the church steps before anyone else arrives. He has served often as a Sunday School teacher, and as a local church officer in many capacities. He has been the district lay leader for the Enid District Methodist Church and in 1962 the Long family was named the Enid District Family of the Year by the Methodists. He was instrumental in helping his local church to modernize its sanctuary.
In 1979, Lloyd and family noticed a subtle change in Blanche which, in 1983 led to a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Lloyd, who had always depended on Blanche for wonderful home support, found himself in a position of being her 'caregiver'. The children observed their daddy learning to prepare simple meals, do the laundry, and care for his beloved wife who eventually could do nothing on her own. This strong community leader who was never seen in the kitchen but to enjoy one of Blanche's wonderful home cooked meals, became a tender, loving caregiver. This continued until October 23rd of 1984 when the children helped their father move Blanche into the Garber Nursing Home.
During the next 8 years, while Blanche was in the nursing home, Lloyd would visit her daily, during the early years several times a day. October 7, 1992, at barely 87 years of age, Blanche passed on.
Three years later, following a month's hospital stay which included a heart attack then kidney failure, Lloyd began his new journey on January 15, 1995. During his last month in the hospital as it became more certain he would not return home, children and grandchildren stayed by his side day and night.
The Book was opened and there were the names of Lloyd L. and Blanche R. Long. And the Lord said, "Well done, my good and faithful servants."
Written by his daughter, Elizabeth Long Palmer
Last edited 21 May 2016
Lloyd had the following printed on the back of his business card and would often read it when he was giving a speech.
"THE LONG PHILOSOPHY"
Wouldn't this old world be better
If the folks we meet would say,
"I know something good about you!"
And then treat us just that way?
Wouldn't it be fine and dandy,
If each handclasp warm and true
Carried with it this assurance -
I know something good about you.
Wouldn't life be lots more happy
If the good that's in us all
Were the only thing about us
That folks bothered to recall?
Wouldn't life be lots more happy
If we praised the good we see?
For there's such a lot of goodness
In the worst of you and me.
Wouldn't it be nice to practice
That fine way of thinking too?
You know something good about me;
I know something good about you.
FAMILY MEMORIES
Dennis Ray Cook (grandson)
I remember Granddads many magic tricks, like the finger in the box and
disappearing coin! My favorite memories were when toddler Jesse and I
would go to Garber to stay a night with Granddad and then visit
Grandmother in the nursing home. She seemed to "light up" when she would
see and hear Jesse.( I'm crying now). That would make all of us have
hope that Grandmother would come back fully. When we would head back
home, Granddad would not allow us to say goodbye, only see you later!
Edwin Eugene Long (son)
I have a picture of myself in 1945 when I was about 11 with my Father who was wearing business hat, suite and tie walking down the streets of Kansas City. I was caught staring at all the tall buildings. We were in KC for the American Royal where I was showing the one and only black steer I raised. I also have a picture of myself with the calf and I was wearing a Navy hat Hal had given me. I had gone on to KC with the FFA and 4-H group and we slept in the barns with the sheep as they would not lay on you like a steer might. Dad always took time to help me as much as he could at home and to attend every single show where I exhibited. In January, 1952 I was showing a Hereford steer from the Van Dyke Ranch in New Mexico and had won many a Reserve Champion ribbon, but was not able to get the Grand. Dad went with me in our 3/4 ton pickup and we took the calf called "IKE" for President Eisenhower hoping that if he could win the Grand Champion some Republican would bid big bucks for my steer. Well when I showed him, I again got the Reserve Grand. An Open Class Hereford breeder offered me $1.00 per pound which made it $1,050. My other option was to keep him and take him to Chicago hoping to get the Grand. Well, Dad and I visited and we sold the calf to the breeder, packed up and headed home with the biggest check in my lifetime!!! This money helped to get Mona and I through college.
I really appreciated Dad helping me learn about caring for animals and the art of farming.
When I was some older, say about 14 and we had a Model "G" John Deere tractor with a three bottom plow and I was plowing on the Cinnamon farm with out even an umbrella which were even rare in those days. It got so hot I could hardly stand it and the cushion on which I was sitting leaked out the air and became flat. I then decided it was so hot the rubber inner part of the seat had melted and let out the air, so I just as well quit for the afternoon. I got into the pickup, yes I began driving at about age 12, and headed to the John Deere place. I went in the back door with the flat cushion seat in my hand to explain to Dad as to why I had quit. I am sure he was very busy, but to teach me a lesson, Dad just asked for the flat cushion and told the staff he would be gone the rest of the day as the ground needed to be plowed before it became too dry. That was the last time I ever quit a job for any reason whatsoever!
My father was the very first person in Eastern Garfield County to use commercial fertilizer. It had been used at the OSU Experiment station, but not on farms near Garber. Dad told W.W. Stratford, the feed and grain man in town, that if he would buy a box car load of fertilizer so he could get it economically. If Stratford could not sell the balance, Dad told him he would buy the unsold portion. Well, it all sold and fertilizing became a new effective method to increase wheat production. Dad also sold lots of fertilizer attachments to be installed on the back of a wheat planting drill!
Stacia Long Glavas (granddaughter)
Grandmother Long was both quiet and strong, wise and steady. She was always busy with her hands. I remember so well her teaching me to sew, with a calm manner that was both encouraging and correcting. She expected things to be a certain way, and you always knew where you stood with her. Above all, she was thrifty! She sewed mesh bags to hold the little bars of soap that had gotten too small to hold, so they could be used to the very end. She smashed her food cans to make room in the trash (an idea that has finally come around again) and she reused bags and baggies over and over. Too bad it took 3 generations to finally understand the importance of recycling!
Granddad was always ready to tell a story or to listen to yours. He was all about helping others, and most conversations somehow included someone else (if not the weather and OSU Sports!). He was always interested in hearing what I was up to, and sincerely wanted to know the details. Of course, he always had a suggestion or two, which was always most welcome.
I remember both Bibles sitting on the end table between their favorite chairs. They wore out the covers, and all the pages in between. They loved the Lord and were faithful about letting people know. They also read the Upper Room at breakfast every morning, having communal devotions, which included anyone who joined them for breakfast.
Grandmother and Granddad faithfully attended all the grand kids' activities in Garber, from band performances, to sports, to stock shows, to awards banquets. They didn't draw attention to themselves, but were simply present in a supportive way. We always knew they would be there.
I loved going with Granddad to the nursing home to see him care for Grandmother. He exuded faithfulness, and I will never forget his witness in that regard.
Laura Cook Belden (granddaughter)
First off, the overall memories I have of my Grandparents Long and their home are that it was a safe, loving place where all were welcome. I have a very proud feeling of them and how well respected and liked they were in the community. I also love the memories of walking with them to church, the grocery store, and the post office and with Grandmother to visit Ruby, one of their neighbors that I believe was pretty much homebound. Great, fun memories of them and Garber.
Some of my memories of Granddad Long include the fact that he always had positive things to say about everyone and all situations. Quite the optimist! And because of that, you always knew you would be comfortable in his company. I also thought as a child that it was so "cool" to walk down to HIS store! And that the building and everything in it was his! At a young age, I just found that fascinating. Also, I'm sure all of my 12 cousins remember sleepovers in the garage "bedroom". How "cool" was that!! In more ways than one, it always felt cool in there and if I remember right, the shower out there had really cold water!
This last memory of Granddad Long I'll share is actually a memory that occurred after his death. Claire was about two and a half years old, Granddad had passed away a few months earlier and here is the remarkable event that occurred. She took a horrendous fall out of a tree house landing on her head within inches of a sand box wood boarder and a cement support in the ground. It was a miracle she did not sustain any life-threatening injuries. In fact, she was relatively unharmed. That night when I was tucking her into bed, I asked her if she was scared when she fell out of the tree house. And with the innocent eyes of a child she looked at me and said, "No mommy, Great Grandpa Long caught me." Oh my gosh, what a statement for a mother to hear from her child and to this day I truly believe he in fact did catch her and that he saved her life. What a blessing it is to have such wonderful guardian angels as our Grandparents looking over us and protecting us.
Kathy Long Disney (granddaughter)
Granddad Lloyd seemed to accept me right from the start unconditionally. He was all knowing and very wise. I joined the family in April, and my first wheat harvest was around the corner. I was with granddad out in the field moving a truck, and we broke down. We had to walk in the dark a few miles. I remember him being so calm, and even though I didn't really know him all that well, I felt very safe. I guess we must have discussed quite a bit of things, he was impressed that I said "God gave us fireflies to help us see" that night while we were walking, and was relieved that I had such wonderful foster parents that had taught me about God. Granddad was very strong, and a man of his word. I don't think I ever heard him say anything negative about anyone. I loved his sense of humor- the "mummy finger" where he'd take an empty old jewelry box, put a hole in the bottom, and use iodine on his finger to make it look old, and slip his finger in the bottom so when he took the lid off the box, the finger looked like it was laying in the box. He told us it came from Egypt, and as we would look in awe, it would move! He also had white yarn in an Ivory bottle, and when he'd squeeze it, the yarn would shoot out and you would think you were getting hit with soap. He also had his Pride and Joy photos-which was a Polaroid picture of a bottle of Pride furniture polish and Joy dishwashing liquid. He also liked to "pop" his false teeth out at you, and he'd say that if you had a problem with chapped lips or chewed fingernails, cow manure would cure it. He also liked to say there were only 2 kinds of pie he liked-hot or cold. When we granddaughters slept over, he liked to wake us up by hitting a pie pan with a wooden spoon. Eating ice cream at night was a tradition with him, too, which we grand kids really enjoyed. Granddad was honorable, honest, distinguished, hard working, wise, influential, and a Christian man to the core.
Amber Cook Metz (great granddaughter)
The thing I remember most about Great Grandfather is the cool wood pull toys he made. I remember the one that was a line of ducks that you'd pull and their feet would flap.
Tyler Ed Long (great grandson)
I remember several things of Great Grandfather Long. Particularly, I recall his joy in watching me play with the toys that he had made (was it a walking turtle?). I also remember him once explaining the specialness of the Long plant, which was quite well grown at that time. Lastly, I recall eating the chocolates on the desk in the kitchen. Those chocolates always had a weird taste... I think they were old or something!
Aaron Long (great grandson)
Thinking back about Grampa Great and Gramma Great:
It's funny what stands out in your mind as a young child - not so much long memories of an event, or an occurrence, or what someone said but impressions, feelings, smells, etc. associated with the memory.
Some of those include:
• The excitement of going over to their house, running down the back hallway towards the garage and getting out all their old metal cars and trucks from the closet and taking them into the living room to play with.
• I remember Gramma Great sitting and watching me play with those cars and trucks (for what seemed like hours in my childhood mind). She didn't say much (to my memory), but I remember the feeling of utter contentment and settledness she seemed to have while watching me play in her presence.
I remember the old wooden cutout of a black cat with yellow eyes that they had in their front kitchen window (I believe Grampa Hal now has in his office window at home)...always remember being curious as to why it was there and also a bit frightened of it in the evenings.
I remember the wooden pull toys. My boys actually got to play with (and also broke) a line of ducks linked together.
I remember the smell of their house...nothing I can quite describe other than a mixture of age, perfume, and baby powder.
I remember the garden out back and how they always seemed to have turnips to eat (I still can't stand to eat turnips to this day! Ha!).
I remember occasions at the dining table sitting with Grampa Great and having a bowl of ice cream in the afternoon/evening. Oh, our love of ice cream :-)
I remember visits to the nursing home with Grampa Great. The feelings of apprehension, uncertainty, and sadness walking down the hall...yet sensing the great joy they shared being reunited once again for the day and the love they had for each other. Then a few years later when Gramma Great was confined to the bed and no longer responsive, I remember watching his gentle pat of her hair and kiss on the head as he left. What a beautiful picture of love and commitment displayed that I can only now really begin to understand and grasp as an adult.
Thinking back, I recall one of the pictures we had in our home growing up in the hallway - a framed photo of Grampa Great...standing in the middle of field, cowboy hat, hands in pockets. I can now only associate the feeling of "patriarch" that I felt then as a child, but didn't have words for. What a wonderful spiritual and entrepreneurial heritage we have received from our patriarch.
I remember the OSU stickered golf cart Grampa Great would drive around town in. Orange triangular flag flying. I remember so wanting to drive the golf cart, but being too shy to ask.
I remember attending a football game or two and Grampa Great ringing his cowbell...man that was loud! I also remember Grampa Great in the last few years, sitting in the den at Gramma Jean and Grampa Hal's house enjoying one of his favorite pastimes - watching an OSU basketball or football game.
The following are a couple of quotes that were Grampa Great's favorites...I can't recall, but I believe he either had them on the back of business cards or kept in his wallet.
Rule of Life
Do all the GOOD you can,
By all the MEANS you can,
In all the WAYS you can,
In all the PLACES you can,
In all the LIVES you can,
To all the PEOPLE you can,
As long as EVER you can.
- John Wesley
(Note: The second quote "The Long Philosophy" is at the end of Lloyd's bio.)
Wanda Mae Long Cook (daughter)
"If you need something done, ask a busy person" - Daddy was that busy person, but he would stop to help anyone at the "drop of a hat" !!
Daddy was a man of his word, honest, genuine, willing, dependable and "looked for the good" in everyone.
I was born on the same farm as Daddy and when I was about 5, we walked down to the barn with a milk pail between us. Daddy was singing, "And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am his own." Well, what wonderful feeling to know that I was Daddy's own !! Hey, I felt special ! It wasn't until I was nearly in my teens, that I learned Daddy was singing a part of the Christian hymn, IN THE GARDEN, and that Daddy had been singing about Jesus' love.
As head of the family, Daddy always said the blessing before our meals - we didn't start eating until God had been thanked for the food. He and Mother both made sure we had Saturday night baths (one tub, no shower, for 6 of us), so that we would be sparkling clean for church services on Sunday. Daddy's love for God was deep, and I can remember him telling me that he knew the exact spot, on the farm, that he gave his life to God when he was in his teens. I remember Daddy studying the Sunday School lesson -- he often taught an adult class.
Daddy usually was able to be home for the noon meal, but he wasn't able to leave his John Deere business for a very long period. With this situation, he was always ready for a quick nap - I mean QUICK ! His normal procedure was to lay on the sofa and say ,"Call me in 5 minutes". He was out like a light, but when he was wakened in that "5 minutes", he would jump up revived, and headed back to work. There were a few times that I guess he needed something to start his relaxation, because he would ask me to play "Rustic Chapel" on the piano, as he fell asleep.
Daddy believed in supporting the community of Garber in many ways - even sweeping main street. One time he was elected Fire Chief (volunteer) and I was a very proud 'youngun', but Daddy put me in my place by telling me that, "Don't you ever follow a fire truck, that only impedes the action of the firemen !" Yes, sir ! From that time on, no matter how curious I was, I haven't followed fire trucks !
I loved going to school, but I disliked anything with numbers !!!!! So, when it came to High School math courses, I was completely lost and it was Daddy that I turned to for help. Looking back, it is hard for me to realize how patient he was with me. Daddy usually put in 12 to 16 hours a day to make a "go" of his John Deere business - I'm sure the last thing he wanted to do was work with me late at night. Well, that wouldn't have been such a big problem, but I just couldn't "get it" and I remember saying to him, "Why do I need to learn this - I hate it ?!" Daddy would basically say that it is one of the subjects that I need to learn, soooo that was that ! Daddy did have a way of finally getting through to me with the math and he never raised his voice !
The times in High School that I worked at the John Deere office was not only fun, but was a basic learning experience. That is where I learned that Daddy had a problem remembering the farmer's names. He could tell you exactly where he lived, what farming equipment he had and how many children, but just couldn't recall his (usually a man) name. His secretary would casually hand him a sheet of paper with the farmer's name on it - what a life saver ! Often I was to close out the cash register at the close of the day. Every transaction was punched into this register and printed on a long, narrow, white sheet of paper to be checked at closing. Daddy made it very plain to me that if the cash strip was off 1 cent, the error HAD to be found before I could go home. He explained that 1 cent could be an error of 10 cents, 10 dollars, or even 100 dollars and that the mistake must be found and corrected to balance the day's monetary actions.
Daddy took his wedding vows seriously, this was very evident when Mother was sick at home with Alzheimer's. He was so very gentle with her in her very confused mind - with cooking and feeding her, brushing her teeth, and even getting in the shower with her one time, to bathe her (this was at a Motel where Duane and I had taken them for a "get away"). I never heard Daddy raise his voice to her - his love for her was great.
Daddy was a graduate of Oklahoma A and M (now Oklahoma State University). In my adult years, several of "the family" would sit in seats at the 50 yard line at the football games. We were the "rooting section" , but Daddy could make the most noise with his 5 pound brass bell that he bought in Pakistan in 1958 when he and Mother were on their world tour !! He took the loss of a game in stride saying, "Someone's gotta win and someone's gotta lose - today we lost ." What a healthy example !!
Daddy learned a song in Sunday School, when he was a child, and he passed it on to we four children. When the great grandchildren came along, he made sure they knew that song, also. This song has actions with It, and I remember onetime that Daddy was with us (in Bartlesville after Mother's death) that he gathered several great grandchildren around the piano and lead them in this song, while someone played the piano. Daddy was sitting in a rocking chair with his cane close by, but was "into it" with the actions ! This is the song:
" I washed my hands this morning so very clean and white, I loaned them both to Jesus to work for Him 'til night. Little feet be careful where you take me to, any thing for Jesus, only let me do."
A very loving man !!!!!!!
Raymond Hal Long (son)
Dad was Garber's number one volunteer. He lived by John Wesley's "Rule of Life" '96 'Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, in all the lives you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.' Dad always believed in giving people the second chance and sometimes the third chance. He served as a parole officer for a while in the thirties.
He was the volunteer fire chief for Garber and was almost severely injured when the 'old mill' was burning. He climbed up a ladder, which was placed on the first floor roof, carrying a fire hose up to the top window where the fire was coming out. When he signaled for the water to be turned on, the fireman opened the valve all the way at once and when the water got to Dad's nozzle it pushed him and the ladder away from the wall and dropped him to the roof where he almost slid off to fall another twenty feet. He put the ladder back against the building, crawled back up and put out the fire.
Telling Dad that something cannot be done just presented him with a challenge. He almost always proved you wrong. Dad and Kenneth Lafferty used one ladder to get to the south roof of the church and then used another ladder to get to the bell tower to fix a leak. Everything went fine until the wind blew down the ladder leading to the bell tower. They tried to get people's attention but were misinterpreted as just being friendly as they went by. Finally John Sallinger who was trying to sell somebody something on the south lot heard Lafferty and sent Edwin to help. Ed just thought they were needing some advice so he wasn't in a particular hurry to get there. Another time some work was needed near the peak of the church on the west side. Dad and Uncle Bill got a tractor with a front end loader, put a ladder in the loader and Dad crawled the ladder to do the job. The setup was so unsafe and “Mickey Mouse” that Jerry Beavers said that he couldn't bear to watch and left the scene.
Dad and Uncle Bill made quite a scene sowing turnip seeds on the Johnson farm on the quarter section north of town. Uncle Bill was driving Dad's big purple Lincoln with Dad sitting in the trunk spinning the seeder. The system worked; however, Uncle Bill drove too fast going over the terraces and the trunk lid would come down and hit Dad besides Dad having to put up with all the dust that was coming into the trunk area. Slower driving would have worked much better.
In 1944 the Garber football team became state champions. Dad hauled the players through out the state with several used tires in the trunk of his car because no new ones were available during the war years.
When I got out of the Navy the family came to California to pick me up in a new 1946 Ford. On the way home Dad decided to drive up Pikes Peak at night because we couldn't find a place to stay in Colorado Springs when we got there. With unmarked hairpin turns at night, it was a 'hairy' ride. We got to see the sun rise from the top!
Our first car after the model "T" was a 1937 pickup which was used for delivering machinery and also the family of five to Grandmother's and Uncle Carl's place. Since we couldn't afford much of anything, we always went to the river for holidays and such. Later when Elizabeth was born at home, Dad called up the stairs in the morning saying "Queen Elizabeth arrived last night". It took a while for us kids to understand what he was talking about.
We took Dad deer hunting in Colorado once. He got lost about three hundred feet from the jeep and fired the three shots quickly as you are supposed to. When we found him he wasn't as much lost as he thought. He was embarrassed.
The first John Deere building was just north of the Blue Moon Theater. The first twenty-five feet was concreted and the rest was dirt floor. Dad bought the old wood two story hotel on the south corner of the same block, tore it down, and took the flooring boards to laminate in arches for the shop building. That building is still in use by the county after moving it just north of the city limits.
I once backed the trailer hitch on the pickup into the grill of the family car. Dad never said a word. That hurt. If someone tore something up while trying hard or hurrying to get the job done, Dad wouldn't say a word. He just fixed it.
Bruce Dale Cook (grandson)
A small bowl of ice cream in the evening was a special treat for Granddad Long after a hard day's work. If there was company, he always asked others to join him and was generous with sharing the chocolate syrup.
In the early 1960's you could earn a nickel from Granddad Long for every 10 dandelion plants you pulled from his lawn. Piles uprooted dandelions across the yard would await Granddad's counting.
Granddad Long could be found taking a brief nap in his lazy boy chair during the noon hour lunch break. As soon as Grandmother called out "Lloyd" he would quickly say "yes" while popping out of the chair and then head to kitchen for their meal. Every weekday noon hour, Granddad and Grandmother Long would share their lunch with radio commentator Paul Harvey and especially enjoyed his down-to-earth views and his rest-of-the-story.
Lois Jean Renfro Long (daughter-in-law)
The easiest way for me tell of my remembrances of "Dad", as he later was to me, is to begin when my father, Luther (Eleck) Renfro, and I arrived in Garber, Oklahoma in January 1943. He had been transferred to work at the Garber/Covington Sinclair Gasoline Plant, which was located 4 miles south, 1 mile east and 1/2 mile south of Garber.
We lived in a rental house across the street north of the Garber Immanuel Lutheran Church and the second house west, next door to Dr. Brewer, on the north side of the street. The first Sunday we were in town we went to Sunday School and Church at the Garber Methodist Episcopal Church, as we did most Sunday's when we lived in Shidler, Oklahoma. The High School Sunday School Class was held in the southwest corner of the sanctuary and was taught by Lloyd Long. Little did I know that he would become my father-in-law.
When spring weather arrived, Hal asked if he could come by and walk with me to MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). I was only about 1/2 block off of his route there, so really not out of his way. That summer I was often a guest at the Long's for homemade ice cream, as Hal and I dated for about a year.
I was invited to accompany the Long family to Oklahoma City for either a live stock show or the State Fair where Hal was exhibiting livestock - I think it was the State Fair, but am not sure. It was exceptionally late when we finally headed back to Garber. Of course, at that time there were no interstate highways, and we traveled state highway 77 north through Guthrie, Mulhall, and Orlando to state highway 64. The two highways joined just west of Perry. Just prior to their joining, there was a curve to the right, and the road forked to a stop for us at 64 and the curve went on to Perry. Everyone in the car was asleep except Dad and I, and I was seated directly behind him. As the curve started, Dad was NOT curving, but was crossing the center line toward the large billboard straight in front of us. I slapped him hard on his back and said, "ARE YOU AWAKE?" He was then and so was everyone else in the car. This was a bold move for me, as I was rather timid, and after all I had hit his back; I could not believe that I had done it, but all were grateful that I had — the only time that I ever hit him.
While I worked at the Garber store (after marriage to Hal in 1948), dad always treated me well, but I was a bit in awe of him and the way it was so easy for him to "visit" with the customers - he was really "selling" them something. He treated his customers and employees the was he wanted to be treated, living the scripture, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." He was always involved in the community - helping anyway he could with football and FFA, as well as others who sought or needed his help. Having activities during our high school years, during which World War II was in full combat, was not easy. Those who worked in the oil field often "came-up with" the "drip gas" to get the team in their cars to away games. Sometimes this was aided by an extra spare tire or two in the trunk, that could have come from anyone, but farmers often had an old tire laying around somewhere that would work in a pinch.
Dad was an avid football fan - of Oklahoma A & M (prior to Oklahoma State University), as well as Garber High School (GHS). It was important that Dad had reserved seating at his university for often he was so busy that he worked until the very last possible minute - then sometimes he was late. He and mom supported the university with a scholarship program as soon as they were financially able, and added financial assistance as they were able.
Mentioning "giving" to the university reminded me of how important "giving/tithing" to his church was. I more than once heard dad witness of the importance of tithing to one's church.
As dad's stamina waned, it became more difficult for him to do many of the things that he loved to do. I remember that he always wanted to help with harvest, and although there wasn't much that he could do, he would help haul wheat - often to be found sound asleep in the cab of the truck when the combines came to unload the wheat.
Men of his generation did little to help around the home - that was woman's work. However, when Mom (Blanche) was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease, he took up the challenge of preparing the meals, doing the laundry and vacuuming. When the doctor prescribed an evening walk for Mom, Dad did that also - when he could get Mom to do it. His "Golden Years" were not so "golden", but he did his best do to the best that he could.
I can't imagine a better father-in-law.
Paul Duane Cook (son-in-law)
After college graduation in 1949, and after Wanda and I were engaged, I had earned enough money, working for the Kansas Highway Comm., to make a down payment on a used 1941 Chevy sedan. Good used cars were very scarce since no civilian autos had been produced in 1942, 43, 44, and 45, and I couldn't afford the newer ones. In my haste to get to Garber from western Kansas one Friday after work, I managed to "throw a rod" in that old 6 cylinder engine somewhere west of Enid ! I locked it up and hitch-hiked on to Garber that night. Before I even woke up Saturday morn, Mr. Long had a truck on the way to haul the car on in to the John Deere Shop ! Then he located a short block engine in Enid and proceeded to have Buck Hyde (chief Mechanic) drop his normal tractor work and install the car motor for me!!! I was on my way back to Kansas by Sunday eve. How many future in-laws would have done all this?
On our first trip to Detroit Lakes, as Mom and Dad Longs' guests, Mr. Long realized that I was more of a "plug" fisherman than troller. So, one early morning he got me up at daybreak and took me to a lake a few miles away. We were plugging for bass in the reed beds along the shore. I was fishing with my favorite plug..a Jitterbug, and caught the biggest bass I have ever caught..a 6 pounder! He was so proud of us for our accomplishment !!! So was I.
Mr. and Mrs. Long provided many more wonderful memories through the years at Detroit Lakes. The family reunions, the great meals, the trolling experiences, the time he spent with our children and grandchildren teaching them how to fish, the shuffle board games, swimming, skiing, on and on.
Over the years, Mr. Long became my favorite fishing buddy. We fished Canton Lake, Grand, Sooner, Eufaula, and Table Rock lakes. I pulled my boat from Bartlesville to Garber, then on to Canton only to find we couldn't launch the boat due to high winds! So we fished for walleye from the dam without any luck. We spent a day on Sooner and only caught a few crappie. Mr. and Mrs. Long went to both Grand and Table Rock with us for over-night trips. Both places had nice lake side cabins and enclosed fishing docks for leisure crappie fishing. We had fun and laughs on Grand...like tangling up a trotline so bad we had to throw it away, and inadvertently taking some of the Camps cooking utensils home with us! (we returned them on the next trip back). Even though we caught fish and enjoyed the scenery and our time together at Table Rock, it was also sad...the first time we witnessed strange behavior from Mom Long.
Since we were able to share Lake Eufaula for many years, although without Mrs. Long, we had a variety of experiences. Like being hit by lightning and setting the cabin on fire, and sinking the fishing boat completely so that divers were required to raise it. Both these happened on the same weekend !! But we also had a miracle at the same time...a couple of Angels showed up out of the blue to help clean up the Cabin mess!! Liz and a girl friend were camping out on the lake, unknown to us, and just happened to drop in as we started to clean up the mess!! Thanks again, Angels !!
Although we enjoyed crappie fishing, I think because you get to sit, chat, and rest, our favorite was trying to catch those flathead catfish. We used live perch for bait and "drop lines" from dead trees left standing in the lake. The location was 4 miles up Longtown Creek from our cabin, and the water wasn't always calm between, so we got wet a few times even without rain. The process was to bait out in the eve and check for fish in the morn. The fun was trying to remember which trees we had hung our lines from, how many we had hung, and finding them!! Over the years we caught lots of catfish, up to 35 pounders!.
You know, a person would have to write a book rather than a few short paragraphs to come close to telling about all the enjoyment Mr. and Mrs. Long have brought to me and my family. I am so blessed to have known them.
Linda Sue Cook Smith (granddaughter)
Since I grew up in Bartlesville, I had the great fortune of spending several days in a row with Grandmother and Granddad Long during the summer months. I have many, many fond memories so I guess the best way to share them is by listing them.
Granddad liked to share a dip or two of ice cream for a bedtime snack. Their plastic bowls have found their way into my home and I remember eating ice cream in their kitchen every time I see them.
Granddad was the best "power napper" I have ever seen! He'd come home for lunch, eat, and then stretch out in his lazy-boy rocker. After snoozing for 5-10 minutes, he would jump up and be ready to get back out into the fields or back to the John Deere store.
Tim remembers that Granddad was always willing and eager to help others. It was Granddad that showed Tim how to replace and tighten springs on our garage door…knowledge that Tim has used more than once through the years.
Granddad also liked to recite some of his favorite poems that he learned while growing up. One story was about a man who put his nose on upside-down after sneezing it off…which turned out to be a good thing since he liked to use snuff!
Besides being a great storyteller, Granddad was also a master magician. He liked to amaze his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as he made coins disappear and then reappear. Byron remembers having fun playing t-ball with Great-granddad Long but our funniest memory was when Granddad asked 18 month old Michelle to "pull my nose" so that his false teeth would pop out and then go back into place. After pulling his nose, this one particular time, his teeth fell out of his mouth and onto the floor! Michelle quickly backed up with a frightened look on her face and eyes wide open! Granddad, equally surprised, picked up his teeth, put them back in his mouth, and then shook with laughter! Never in all his years of performing that trick had his teeth fallen out!
What a blessing to have had such wonderful grandparents and that my family has wonderful memories of them too!
Donna Elizabeth Long Lawrence (granddaughter)
Granddad was a hero in my mind. A man that could accomplish anything and who always worked to improve his community, church, and state. There is so much evidence of Granddad in my life today. I have an inner drive to live by his motto that went something like this: "At the end of my life I will know I was a success if the land I have farmed is left richer and more fertile than it was before I began working it." Granddad applied that to every endeavor and I am motivated in the same way. That 'can do' attitude never ceased to amaze me. I remember looking out our front window one day and was quite shocked to see Granddad riding a bike up our driveway! I think he must have been 65 or 70. Some of my best memories include fishing with Granddad in Minnesota. We had to get up at the crack of dawn so we wouldn't miss the big fish. He carefully taught me which lures to use for certain fish, how to cast my rod and how to take the fish off the hooks. I wouldn't let him teach me to clean the fish, but he sure wanted to! Granddad was very proud to be a Rotarian. He lived by the Four Way Test and instilled those principles in my life. Granddad never stopped thinking about ways to improve things. I was very fortunate to spend time with him by myself at the hospital just days before he passed away. The topic of our conversations ---- OSU, of course! He asked me to write down several very detailed suggestions that he wanted me to share with the university President. There he was, at his end days and still coming up with ideas to improve something!
Granddad Long left a big footprint in Garber, throughout Oklahoma, and in many places around the world. His passion for God, family and service are seen very visibly in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as we all strive to uphold his same values.
Written and prepared by Elizabeth Long Palmer
Last edited 31 May 2016