Keith Dean Long
Our dear husband and Father, Keith Dean Long, passed away on April 29, 2018. He was 63 years old. He was born in the old Lindsay Hospital to _ill and _eulah Long on Jan. 5, 1955. He was raised in Porterville, and graduated from Monache High School. He received enough credits to graduate early in January 1973; then Keith enlisted in the navy, and served on the USS Welch-pg 93 from July 1973 to July 1977. Keith was honorably discharged from the United States Navy on Feb. 15, 1979. While serving in the navy he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He was the patrol gun engineer, and also took courses for interior communications electrician. _ecause of his engineering knowledge and his electrician courses, he was able to quickly find a job with the phone company (Pacific _ell, S_C, AT&T). Keith worked for the phone company for 30 years, retiring in November 2007. After retiring from the phone company, Keith volunteered for many years at the Porterville Gleaners.
Keith's favorite pasttimes were barbecuing, gardening and fishing. He made the most delicious and tender beer-can chickens. He was famous for his many vegetables he grew in his garden every year; always sharing them with his family, friends and neighbors. Keith's most favorite past-time was fishing; whether he was up in the mountains in _alch Park, or up in the Sacramento Delta area with his friend, Ken Riley, or with his son, Chad, walking the beaches of Morro _ay, Cayucos and Cambria.
Keith had a kind heart and was always helping his family and friends. He was a character, and had a great sense of humor, too. We are all going to dearly miss him.
He was preceded in death by his Mother, _eulah Long, and his Father, _ill Long. Keith is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patricia Long of Terra _ella, Calif. His son, Chad Long, and Chad's fiancee, Lori Arias, and her two children, Michael and Rachelle of Porterville, Calif. His sister, _renda (Tom) House of Pismo _each, Calif. His two brothers, Dale Long of Fort _ragg, Calif. and Gary (Kristen) Long of South _erwick, Maine. His three sisters-in-law: Sharii Rey of _eaverton, Oregon; Kathy Kurz of Felton, Calif.; and Claire Long of Fort _ragg, Calif. His two brothers-in-law: George Rey of Porterville, Calif.; and Marty Rey (Mary) of Sun City, Arizona. Keith is also survived by his Aunt Sandy and Uncle Floyd Walker of Southern Calif. and by many cousins, nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and greatnephews. And by his many friends who will miss him very much.
Services will be at Porterville Funeral and Cremation Center on Saturday May 19 at 11 :00.
A reception will follow at Robles Ranch 11653 Road 248, Porterville from 12:30 to 3:30. Donations can be sent to Parkinson's Disease, The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at www. michaeljfox.orgldonate_ Now or any Parkinson's Foundation of your choice.