Paul Oliver Long, 92, of El Dorado, passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at the Medical Center of South Arkansas. He was born May 6, 1926, to Allen McKinley and Mable Leona Alger Oliver Long in El Dorado, AR.
He was employed with Tennyson Oil Company for 27 years and later retired as production superintendent for Long Brothers and was presently a member of West Side Baptist Church and formerly served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Joyce City Baptist Church for over 50 years. Mr. Long served in the U. S. Navy during World War II.
Paul, or P.O. as most people called him, was widely known for his pranks, card tricks, riddles and just generally making sure that the troops were entertained. At family reunions each year, you would see a crowd of kids and adults alike gathered around P.O. at a table trying to figure out his latest stunt or trick question. His granddaughter, Amy, even made a book of all his famous one-liners that we refer to as "Papaw's Words of Wisdom".
P.O. was a man who dearly loved his family. Tex was the love of his life and he dedicated his life to making her feel like she was a queen. He made every occasion a "big surprise" for Tex, who had not grown up with any advantages. The greatest gift he ever gave his children was loving their mother and showing them what a happy marriage looks like.
After Tex passed, he was fortunate to find love again at age 84 with his second wife, Gloria, for seven years. They enjoyed eating out with church friends, attending West Side together and hosting family in their home.
Preceding him in death are his parents; first wife, Evelyn "Tex" Long; second wife, Gloria Davidson Long; great granddaughter, Ashton White; and eleven brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his two daughters, Paula Clark (Tommy) of McCrory, Judy Tucker (Lonnie) of El Dorado; son, Jack Long (Dorinda) of Magnolia; sister, Marie Rogers (Pat) of Port Neches, TX; brother, Huey Long of Magnolia; six grandchildren, Aprile Willett Richardson (Ricky) of Smackover, Amy Willett Jones of Malvern, Scott Willett (Jessie) of Arkadelphia, Dyun Long (Katherine) of Magnolia, Karrie Hutton (John) of Elkland, MO, Laura Akkub (Joseph) of Magnolia; ten great grandchildren, Reagan Richardson, Rhett Richardson both of Smackover, Whit Jones, Jett Jones, Cy Jones all of Malvern, Kaden Willett, Kylar Willett both of Arkadelphia, Jack Dylun Long, Alyssa Blair (Jordan) both of Magnolia, and Tyson Grier of Springfield, MO.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Young's.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, West Side Baptist Church with Rev. Gerald Perry and Rev. Raymon Carneal officiating. Burial will follow at Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors with military honors provided by the U. S. Navy.
Memorials may be made to West Side Baptist Church, 2400 W. Hillsboro, El Dorado, AR 71730.
An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
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