Deral B. Long

Deral B. Long, 90 of Portales, NM died Monday, November 20, 2006 at Roosevelt General Hospital following an illness. Deral was born March 17, 1916 in Plainview, Texas to the home of Richard Burnie Long and the former Elizabeth Bracken. He moved with his family to Melrose at the age of 12 and the following year moved to Fort Sumner. Deral worked on area ranches and also ranched in De Baca County. He served in the United States Coast Guard from October 8, 1942 until his honorable discharge on November 9, 1944. Deral married Patricia Ann Worlie on March 17, 1953. Deral and Patricia made their home in California where they owned and operated a dairy in Redbluff, California. They made their home in Portales in 1981. Deral enjoyed making boots as a hobby, he also liked watching TV especially rodeo’s and wrestling. He was preceded in death by a son Patrick H. Long in 1996; his parents; two sisters Mavanee Bryan and Nina Walraven. Survivors include his wife Patricia of the home in Portales; two daughters Loretta Ratliff of Portales and Doris Reed and husband Kim of Hatch, NM; a sister Faye Thomas and husband Henry of Lacon, Illinois; two brothers Delbert Long of Fort Sumner and Gene Long of Decatur, Illinois; three grandsons Patrick Erin and wife Christi of La Mesa, NM; William Henry and wife Crystal of Anthony, NM; and Deral Ratliff of Portales; a granddaughter Tamera Bartz and husband Kris of Portales. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 24, 2006 from Fort Sumner Cemetery with Jake Allen officiating. Pallbearers will include Jack Walraven, T.J. Walraven, Steve Villanueva, Jorge Ochoa, Steve Long, and Eddie Gonzales. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311. www.chavezfuneralhome.com