Harold "Toby" Arthur Long

Harold Arthur “Toby” Long, 92, of Plano, Texas passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023. He was born on January 23, 1931, in Bedias, Texas, to the late Charlie & Lottie May (Heaton) Long. As an infant, Toby moved to Collin County, where he was raised on a farm. It was there where he learned the importance of hard work and a job well done. Toby found a lifelong passion for dirt track racing as a teenager and was known to have the fastest car in Collin County. He played football for the Plano Wildcats and was a 1948 graduate of Plano High School.

Following graduation, Toby worked at Joe Bill Griffin’s Plano Oldsmobile, and went on to work at Owen’s Country Sausage as a delivery driver. Toby spent 26 years as an aircraft engine mechanic at Dallas Airmotive, Inc., which he really enjoyed. With a dream to own his own service station, Toby opened up Long’s Dallas North Mobile Full Service Station in 1978. Soon after opening, he decided to also open Long & Long Pier Drilling Company. Inc., from where he retired in 2014. He also proudly served our country for three years, earning the rank of Master Sergeant.

He met the love of his life, Georgia, in 1949 at a Methodist Youth Fellowship Social in Richardson and they married in 1951 and started a family. Together they raised three sons, whom Toby loved teaching to hunt and fish, and enjoyed camping trips with. He relished all of the time spent at his sons’ sporting events and other activities. He enjoyed time spent on Lake Holbrook at the lake house and on the boat with Georgia and the boys. He and Georgia were members of a square dancing club, which allowed them to travel and square dance around the country together. They enjoyed Bluegrass music and attended many Bluegrass Festivals over the years. More than anything, Toby just enjoyed spending time with his family.

Toby enjoyed all that life had to offer. He loved being outdoors and loved keeping busy. He could always be found outside tinkering with tractors, doing mechanic work, or anything to keep his hands and mind busy. He had a love for animals, especially dogs. Toby had many K9 companions over the years, always by the names of Dudley, Jack, or Charlie. He also enjoyed having cows out in East Texas after relocating there for a short time following retirement.

Toby was an all-around good guy. He was honest, hardworking, and willing to help anyone. He was a great friend and had a selfless heart. His zest for life and ability to find joy in the small things was admirable and brought him a great sense of contentment. Toby will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant twin sisters, Peggy & Penny Long; brothers, Grady Long and W.C. Long; and sisters, Joann Smith, and Pauline Maxwell. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Georgia Long; three sons and daughters-in-law, Denny & Cheryl Long of Fairview, TX, Steven Long & Linda Barrett of Fort Worth, TX, and Jeffery & Valerie Long of Plano, TX; grandchildren Terra (Joe) Peterson of Dallas, TX, Tyler (Amber) Waldrum of Fort Worth, TX, Chelsea Long of Atlanta, GA, and Travis Long of Greenville, TX; great-grandchildren, Tristen, Zane, Taylen, Nash, Jade, Rozlyn, Brielle, Jemma, and Wyatt; and his beloved dog, Charlie.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm in Ted Dickey Funeral Home, 2128 18thSt., Plano, TX 75074. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 1:00pm in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow in Plano Mutual Cemetery.