Sidney S. Long Jr.

?Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather New Iberia - Mr. Long was born on March 24, 1936 in Kilgore, Texas, and passed away on May 9, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 14, ?2008, at Pellerin Funeral Home Chapel in New Iberia. Rev. Edward Degeyter will officiate and conduct funeral service. Mr. Long, originally a native of Texas, has made New Iberia his home for the many years. ?He is a veteran, having served his country as a member of the Army's elite Green Beret Special Forces Unit and was honorably discharged. Mr. Long worked many years for Halliburton, N.I.P.D. Otis, Baker Oil Tools, International Marine Service, spent at least 2 years in Dubai, U.A.E., and returned to New Iberia and retired as an oilfield consultant. ?Mr. Long has been the owner/operator of Long's Gun and Pawn Shop from 1986 to the present, which other than his family, was the love of his life. ?He was a member of the Jewelers Board of Trade and a founding member of the Louisiana Pawnbrokers Association. ?He was also a true Master Gunsmith, who not only could change parts, but make them as well. Mr. Long was an avid hunter and fisherman. ?He was the oldest top bass fisherman of Iberia Parish, which he was very proud of. ?He was a member of the Jeanerette Lunker Hunters and participated in as many tournaments as he could. He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be forever remembered as a kind, considerate, and compassionate man who went out of his way to help others. His passing was a tragic loss, not only to his family, but also to the people of this community. Mr. Long is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lois Prince Long; his daughter, Melissa P. Long, of New Iberia; and his only grandchild, Jordan ""D. J. Fuzzy"" LaSalle, of LeCompte, LA. ?He is also survived by his sisters, Helen Long Knabe of Hiawatha, Kansas, Margaret Long, of El Paso, Texas, and Catherine Long Estancia, of New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney S. Long, Sr. and Effie Gertrude Long; and his sisters, Mary Long Gonzales, Dorothy Long Smith, Beverly Long Spillane, and Martha Long. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday and continue at 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday by Deacon Wade Broussard. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, (337.365.3331), is in charge of arrangements.