Thomas Earl Long, a long time resident of Montgomery, Texas, was born in LeBlanc, Louisiana on September 10, 1934 to James and Allie Mae Long. Earl was the youngest of four brothers. As a teenager Earl cared for his widowed mother while his three brothers served in the military.
While attending high school Earl met the love of his life, Frances Charlene Vaught. It was love at first sight for Earl and they spent 72 years in wedded bliss raising two sons, working hard and after retirement traveling the world.
Earl worked for 33 years at Shell oil, beginning as an apprentice machinist, progressing to master machinist, then an engineer with several patents to his name. While working full-time Earl attended Tulane University, thus acquiring a civil engineering degree. Involved in the construction of several offshore rigs, he was most proud of the work he did on the construction of offshore platform Bullwinkle in 1988. Earl was known for his innovative problem-solving skills on construction sites.
Earl’s machinist skills, metallurgy knowledge, attention to detail and hands-on abilities served him well when he took up an interest in gunsmithing. As well as a noteworthy IPSC competition shooter, Earl was a nationally known, much sought after master gunsmith. He retired fully from gunsmithing around 1990.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Earl joined the Masonic Lodge in 1960, eventually becoming a 32nd degree mason as well as a Shriner. He was dedicated to Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, truth and focused on personal development, integrity and community service.
Through the decades Earl wore a variety of hats as a community volunteer serving over the last forty years within the April Sound/Montgomery community on the water board, church board, architectural board and in many other volunteer capacities. Earl also was a blood donor for many years measured by multiple ‘1 gallon’ donor mugs.
Earl is survived by the love of his life, his dear wife Frances Charlene, son Dwight (Pam), son Richard, daughter Charlotte (Danny), grandson Randy, granddaughter Erin (Sean), grandson Joshua (Gabby), granddaughter Shelby (Youngsang), grandson Rafael, great-grandson Aiden and multiple nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Earl’s family asks that donations be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children – Dallas.
A visitation will be held on January 16, 2026, from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 1801 East White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas, 77304.
A Celebration of Life will follow at 9:30 am in the Chapel at Metcalf Funeral Directors, at the same address.
The graveside service and interment are scheduled for 11:00 am on January 16, 2026, at Forest Park The Woodlands Cemetery, 18000 Interstate 45 South, Conroe, Texas, 77384.
