Arthur Perl Long
Born: November 30, 1921
Died: February 11, 2011
Arthur Perl Long, of Guthrie, OK born to Perl B. and Clara Elizabeth (Veal) Long in Lone Grove, OK, November 30, 1921, died Friday, February 11, 2011 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. His early years spent in Northwest Texas and Ardmore, he graduated Ardmore High and earned 80 college credit hours.
He enlisted October 23, 1939, in the U. S. Army. On December 7, 1941, he was serving in an artillery unit in Alaska. Later promoted to Sergeant, he returned to the States in May 1943, and several months later served in the 44th Infantry Division Artillery in Europe as a Staff Sergeant, Communication Chief. Awarded three European campaign battle stars, he won numerous awards during his lengthy army service. He was promoted to Master Sergeant in 1947, while an instructor at the Communications School at the Navy Amphibious Base in Coronado, CA (1946-1949).
His artillery unit was alerted July 4, 1950, and joined the Taegu perimeter in Korea September 3. He earned three Korean battle stars, returning to the States November 30, 1951. He served at many posts in the States and worldwide and always thanked the taxpayers for making him a world traveler, although he said some of the places he visited were very uncomfortable. He retired from the U. S. Army November 30, 1959, while serving as an ROTC Instructor at Highland Park High School in Dallas, TX. After working at the Dallas Post Office for about a year, he began employment in the Federal Prison Service, January 1961, retiring as a Correctional Counselor December 31, 1976.
Of his marriage to Elsie M. Brewer in January 1946, four children were born: Pamela, Teresa, Bruce and Matthew. He married Jeannine Burks Pembleton April 9, 1987, in Oklahoma City, OK. They moved to Enid, OK in October 1992, where his wife had lived for many years, and to Guthrie in February 1997.
He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, Otharay Burgess and Oleta Crossfield, and brother-in-law Bill Burgess. Survived by wife Jeannine, Guthrie; children Pamela Lopez (Larry), and Teresa Long, Oklahoma City; Bruce Long, Guthrie; Matthew Long, Paris, TX; stepson Gregory Pembleton (Nanci Jensen), Santa Maria, CA; stepdaughters Tamara Burks, Oklahoma City, and Melody Kellogg (Randy), Guthrie; ten grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; brothers-in-law P. R. Crossfield, Oklahoma City, and Jack Burks (Dixie), Plattsburg, MO, and their descendants.
Born and reared a Southern Baptist who believed the Bible, he was a former outspoken member of Lamb’s Flock at Enid’s Emmanuel Baptist and was a current member of Edmond First Baptist Church. He loved his extended Christian family.
Private burial services were held at Seward Cemetery, Guthrie. A celebration of his life will be held at Edmond First Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011, conducted by Wade Burleson, pastor of Enid's Emmanuel Baptist Church. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.
The family thanks the caregivers of Companion Hospice for their loving attention to Arthur this past month.
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