Dale Howard Long's Obituary
Dale Howard Long passed away on Jan. 5th, 2026 following a long battle with prostate cancer.
Dale was born in Tucson, AZ on Oct. 2nd, 1950 to Robert R. Long and Arabel Yocum. His grandfather was Roy H. Long, founder of Long Realty. His father was a WWII veteran, later realtor and co-owner of Arizona Mortuary.
He attended high school in Tucson, Canyon del Oro, and later graduated from NAU Flagstaff, with a B.S. in Education degree (1977). He taught and coached tennis at Montana State University in Bozeman, and later at other locations, like Omni Tucson National. He was a good tennis player.
Dale had two brothers - Robert and Jeff, both of whom pre-deceased him, Robert by just three weeks. He also had four Long 1st cousins – Randy (Carol), Russell (Christy), Steven (Jody), and Roy (Brynn), and four Yocum 1st cousins – Barbara, Greg, Shirlee (Jim), and Toni (Robert). Dale was generally on good terms with his entire family and, like his parents, had many good friends in Arizona and New Mexico, or wherever he happened to be living. He was a positive, optimistic person with a big smile and generally cheery attitude and always ready to “come over and hang out.”
He was an outdoorsman and occasional hunter who loved firearms and knives. He loved to attend periodic gun shows in the Tucson area. He would also collect minerals and conduct rock-hunting guided tours.
Dale was a student of religion, but mostly spirituality, and, when healthy, an avid reader of important works.
For some 10+ years, Dale had been living on a property in Luna, NM, where his older brother, Robert, also lived in a separate residence. Dale was a part-time guardian and helper and would frequently make medical and grocery runs. In the Luna area, he was also called upon to substitute teach in the local schools, where he interacted well with the students.
In essence, Dale was a good-hearted, honest, and friendly person who had many friends, and had a good sense of humor. He will be missed dearly.
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