James Leroy Long Sr. (Jim) was born in Madera, CA, on March 25, 1947, to Roy and Katherine Long. He was a surprise baby, born twelve years after his sister, Betty. He was very close to his Granny Robbins and Aunt Rintha, who lived across the street from the family home. Jim survived polio when he was a child and always talked about the shots and needles. Jim started his family at a young age and worked in feedlots in the area. His Uncle Von Robbins taught him how to shoe mules. He ran a successful building maintenance business in his hometown, providing janitorial services to businesses. He enjoyed spending time at the dunes in Pismo Beach, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and other special places in California.
We know Jim wanted to stay a little longer, but he passed away at home on the Highway of Legends in Trinidad, Colorado, on February 19, 202,5, after suffering from dementia and other health issues. Jim leaves his wife, Becky, of 30 years. They have three sons together: Roy, Billy Goa,t and Jake. Jim also had three children from previous marriages. He always said you needed to trade in for a younger wife every once in awhile. Jeannie(Michael), Jim Jr.(Katy), and Jolene(Jefferson) were born from these unions. He was The Great Papa to seven grandkids Amber, Tim (Mariah), Wyatt, Chyenne, Shelby, Spur, and Kylie and five great grandkids Deziree, Carson, CJ, Alexzia, and Izabelle.
Jim’s passion was horses. He was an expert farrier. He loved the challenge of correcting a hoof and helping a horse travel better. He took pride in his work. He shod everything from personal horses to dressage and draft horses. He enjoyed visiting his customers and helping them with whatever he could while he was there shoeing. He decided to go back to spending time on top of horses instead of under them, closed his farrier business, and returned to being a cowboy. Jim enjoyed working as a ranch hand and taking care of cattle until he retired. Red horses were his favorite, and he could not resist them.
Jim was a character and had the flavor of being his own man. (as the judge who gave him custody of his daughter once told him). He was very proud of this. Never quite happy where he was, he lived in CA, AZ, NM, TX, and CO. Jim left his mark wherever he went. He enjoyed himself and was always ready to get into a little bit of mischief. He had many adventures and great stories to tell.
To honor Jim’s memory, smoke a joint, drink a beer, blast some country music, eat a spoonful of Skippy peanut butter and tell someone to Get F****! Jim was never shy about expressing how he felt and did whatever he wanted to do. He was proud of being his own man, even though his independence could be hard on those who loved him.
If you would like to help lighten the load on the family at this time so they can carry on the family tradition, please donate to Jim’s memorial at https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feverloved.com%2Flife-of%2Fjim-long-sr%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ca62c395d59e7470e227b08dd61b03a14%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638774131693641894%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=X1kcuQyvEuGZV%2FezZUrF5t57f%2BBp7aI1WNX0s12PEdE%3D&reserved=0. You can also share a memory and pictures of Jim there.
Jim’s family will be having private memorials.