Alvin Longmire

Al entered this Earth on May 20, 1940, in Atmore, Alabama, the son of Alfred Longmire and Myrtle Pierce. At a young age, Al moved to Alliance, Ohio, where his father pursued work in steel mills and owned a barbershop and his mother worked as a master seamstress for the local community.

After graduating from high school in Alliance, Al moved to Tucson, Arizona, in July 1958 to be with his mother. Continuing in the Longmire tradition, Al enrolled in the Tucson Barber College. He graduated and received his barber license in 1959 and started a career at JT’s Barbershop located on Tucson’s historic Meyer Street. Al opened his own barbershop in 1965 at 314 E. Grand Road. After 23 years and a vision to expand, he relocated his shop to 861 E. Grant Road in 1988. Al’s Barbershop was a cornerstone in the Tucson community for an outstanding 53 years. In 2018, Al retired from owning a barbershop but not cutting hair. He began working at Tommie’s Barber-Beauty where he continued to cut hair until July 2025 at the age of 85.

Al is remembered for his humble, kind, peaceful, gentle, and patient spirit. He had an exceptional work ethic and believed in the importance of giving back to the community, investing in the lives of every person he knew. He encouraged discipline, self-respect, and respect for others.

Al was an avid golfer and supported various small businesses and community organizations. He was a member of the Desert Trails Golf Club, Beau Brummel Club, Tucson Black Chamber of Commerce, and the NAACP. Al was a loving family man and enjoyed road trips with his children. His passions included skating, golfing, and movies, especially drive-ins.

Al is survived by his wife, Rosalind; daughters (with Doris Longmire), Yvette Valdez-Dodd (Phoenix, AZ) and Lisa Longmire (Tucson, AZ); sons (with Rosalind Longmire), Dr. Pierce Longmire (Philadelphia, PA) and Jarrett Longmire (Tucson, AZ); brother, Samuel Longmire (Tucson, AZ); six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and other cherished family and friends. Al was preceded in death by parents, Alfred and Myrtle; son, Alvin Longmire, Jr.; brother, Claude Pierce; and sisters, Hattie Payton and Norma Jones.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Zion City Flowing Wells Campus - 2561 W. Ruthrauff Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85705.