Horace Delong

Services are scheduled at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 27, at Terpening Son Chapel for Horace E. DeLong of Loco Hills, New Mexico.

Mr. Delong, 75, died Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at Covenant Specialty Hospital in Lubbock, Texas after battling cancer.

Belton Mathews will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brett DeLong, Austin Addington, Clint DeLong, John Carlile, Rusty Moorhead,and Billy Gresham. Honorary Pallbearers will be Christopher Wilson, Dallas Garthwaite, Joe Carlile, Kevin Rogers, and Justin Neeld

Visitation will be at Terpening Son Mortuary Sunday beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Horace was born June 19, 1937 in Colorado City, Texas the son of Horace W. DeLong and Bessie Mae Payne DeLong.

On March 9, 1959 he was married to Donna Marie Austin in Colorado City, Texas. They came to Artesia in 1966 from Colorado City. After being married for 51 years, she preceded him in death December 9, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents daughter Kerry Jean DeLong sister Sonni Allen granddaughter Shelly Marie DeLong and a greatgranddaughter McKayla Gagvaski.

In his younger years , Horace was a jack of all trades but a master of none. He worked in cafes, gas stations, dry cleaners and various other odd jobs until he made his move into the oil field. There, he diligently worked his way from the end of a shovel to consultant level, then ultimately owning his own business DeLong Pumping Service. He was up at dawn and home at dark rarely did he miss a day of work. To the outside world, he was known for his humor, storytelling and joking around sarcasm seemed to be a talent for him also. He was a wealth of wisdom and information and willing to share it with anyone that asked.

Although his family was large, he liked solitude. He enjoyed driving around his wells, tinkering with things and fishing but was passionate about spending time with his son and grandsons. His rugged exterior didnt hide the kind hearted compassion he had seemingly gruff but specially nick naming each grandchild he had. He wore many hats husband, dad, papa, brother, son, nephew, uncle and friend but ultimately he was a child of God. He now sits in his Fathers arms in heaven, healed, whole, and unbroken. Reunited with love ones that have past. I believe his final message is summed up in this. When asked,What are you doing Infamously, he would say,going down the street. I believe that is what he wants for his family and loved ones is to keep going down the street.

Survivors include his son Buddy DeLong and wife Rhonda of Artesia, N.M. daughters Kelly DeLong of Loco Hills, Kimberly Ann DeLong of Hobbs, N.M., Kressy Elaine Carlile and husband Jodie of Maljamar, N.M., Kaccy Tylene Garthwaite and husband Mike of Artesia, and Tina Carol Spriggs and husband Ralph of Killeen, Texas 17 grandchildren 39 greatgrandchildren sisters JoAnn Parks of Toledo Bend, Texas, and Sandy Wall Copperas Cove, Texas and brothers John DeLong and James DeLong both of Killeen.

Memorial contributions may be made to One Small Voice or St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital.