Thomas “Tom” H. Long, 74, of Ronceverte passed away at his family home surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, after a brave battle with ALS.
He was born on June 30, 1951, in Ronceverte, the son of the late David and Betty Gladwell Long.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Mary Lynn “Bunny” Wooten, maternal grandparents, Lynn and Mary McNulty Gladwell and paternal grandparents, Vernal and Clemmie Tracy Long.
Tom attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Ronceverte where he was baptized as a child. He married Debbie Ann Dalton there on Apr. 3, 1976.
Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 49 years, Debbie Long and their daughters Autumn Tracy Waid (James), Meredith Whited (Carrington Bryant), and Caitlin White (Daniel); grandchildren, Emma Grant, Zion Detko, Annie Whited, Cora Whited, Evie Waid, Caden White, Declan White, and Aven White; nephews, Chris and Bryan Powell.
Tom was a lifelong resident of Ronceverte and graduated from Greenbrier East High School in 1969. He was known as Tommy by his childhood friends and classmates. During his first year of college, he attended the first WVU extension center and valued all that he learned while there. He went on to study at Marshall University and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
He served loyally as a parole and probation officer with the West Virginia Department of Corrections for 32 years. His career took him all over the state and gained him many friends and acquaintances. Anyone who ran into Tom could almost always be guaranteed to hear one of his many stories or recollections of his working days. He was proud of his career and the role it played in his life.
An avid outdoorsman, Tom was always at home in the woods during the fall or working in his garden. Tom and Debbie enjoyed many winters spent in Florida in their well-loved RV that Tom took excellent care of. If they weren’t camping in Florida, they would camp and fish for native trout in Pocahontas County where Tom proudly had family roots. They also spent a couple of weeks each year in the Dolly Sods Wilderness where they participated with a bird banding operation.
Towards the end of his days, he expressed that his best years were spent during retirement, camping and fishing with his wife and spending time with his grandchildren. Tom was the pillar of strength for his wife and his girls.
The family will receive family and friends Saturday, Oct. 11, at Morgan Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ronceverte on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 3 p.m. Burial will follow the service in Rosewood Cemetery, Lewisburg, WV.
Online guestbook can be signed at www.morganfh.net. Arrangements entrusted to Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, WV.
