Claude L. Long, Jr.

Claude Louis Long Jr., 85, of Hyrum, died Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Logan.

Claude Louis Long Jr. was born June 18, 1937, to Claude and Opal Long. He grew up with his three sisters in Colorado and graduated from Alamosa High School in 1955. He married Sharon Thayn on March 21, 1959, in Moab, UT.

After marriage the couple lived in Lawton, OK, Omaha, NE, Lincoln, NE, Cheyenne, WY, and North Platte, NE, where he sold trailers. Their first child was born while living in Lincoln. He joined the LDS Church in February of 1960. They moved to Logan, UT, in 1961, and their marriage was solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple in November of 1961. They moved to their current home in Hyrum, UT, in 1963. He worked numerous jobs until beginning a career in the insurance industry where he worked for 25 years. He worked in the banking industry for 17 years, 10 years in retail and eight years driving a shuttle for a local car dealership. He was a Hyrum City Councilman for 12 years and the Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July parade. He’s served on numerous boards and organizations, and held several positions in the church.

He was known for his immaculate yard, home and cars. He was a hard worker which was evident in the many years of providing for his family and community. The phrase “I can’t” was not in his vocabulary. He taught his children the value of hard work and expected a lot of them, but made sure they had fun, riding in back of “old pink,” a milkshake from Hyrum Drug, ice skating, or tubing. He had a whistle you would never forget. Upon the death of his father in 1967, he built a mini replica of a 1919 Stutz Bearcat in his memory. That car has been driven by his children, grandchildren and now will be driven by his great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude L. Long and Opal Mae (Dixon) Speiser; stepfather, Fred Speiser; two sisters, Viola Ormond and Wanda Goss; grandson, Michael McGee; and great-grandson, Harvey J. Summers; in-laws, John and Della Thayn; and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sharon Long of Hyrum; children, Cyndi (Jeff) Falor; Rod (Cindy) Long; Valorie Hancock, Byron (Anissa) Long; and Nan (Chris) Jansen; sister, Sandy (Emmett) Palmer of Fruita, CO; stepbrother, Rex Speiser; 20 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Hyrum 6th ward chapel, 455 East 100 South, Hyrum. A viewing will be held Friday, February 17, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the church in Hyrum and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Hyrum City Cemetery. Condolences and messages may be sent to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.com . Services are under the arrangements of Allen-Hall Mortuary, Logan, Utah.