Jay Long of Pleasanton, Texas, passed away in San Antonio, on June 10, 2024.  He was eighty-one years old.

Jay was born on June 9, 1943, in Yoakum, Texas.  He was raised in El Campo and graduated from El Campo High School in 1961.  After graduating from Wharton County Junior College, he attended Sam Houston State and Texas A & I.

In 1967 he married the love of his life, Charleen Soechting, and together they raised another love of their lives, when their daughter Robin was born.  While living in Spring Branch on the family ranch, Jay raised and trained roping horses.  After moving to Ingram, Texas, he became a meat inspector, but his heart was always back at the ranch.  Eventually the family returned to Spring Branch, where Jay ranched, trained horses, and worked as a Fire Fighter in San Antonio.  After suffering a back injury, he was forced to retire from the Fire Department.

Jay & Charleen lived in El Campo briefly, where they raised cattle and had a rice farm.  From there they returned to Pleasanton, where Jay enjoyed watching wildlife on their place, and where he usually could be found on the golf course on any given day.

Jay was proceeded in death by his parents J.C. and Lillian Byars Long, sisters Kay Collins and Denise Roberts, and his loving aunt and uncle, Dennis and Margie Collins, who raised him.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Charleen, his beloved daughter Robin Claiborne, his grandson Robert Cole Claiborne.  Jay is also survived by his sisters, Stephanie Stepan, Vicki Ekstrom and Shelley Curley.

In addition, to many lifelong friends, Jay leaves behind his faithful four-legged companion, Chico.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 2, 2024, from 4:00-8:00 PM, at Freiheit Country Store in New Braunfels, Texas.

Memorials may be made to Wharton County Youth Fair Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 167, Glen Flora, Texas, 77443.

Please sign the guestbook at www.doeppenschmidtfuneralhome.com