Charles Justin Long

Justin grew up in Muleshoe, Texas. He met the love of his life, Peggy Rawdon Gould, while working in Lubbock, TX, in 1983. While their families thought it would be wonderful to plan a big wedding, they just wanted to be married, and so decided on a private ceremony with the Justice of the Peace. They narrowly escaped cameras for a special interest story to be featured on the evening news for eloping on none other than “Friday the 13th” (January 13, 1984). Since their families were unaware of their nuptials, and the two could not bear the thought of them finding out on the evening news, the two spent their wedding evening calling family to come celebrate with them. Justin gained not only a wife that day, but two grown children and their spouses that grew to become “his kids”. As we all know, family is not defined by blood, but by love. Justin later graduated to the honor of “Jaja” to five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren, who believe he hung the moon.

Justin worked tirelessly to support his wife and family his entire life. His career began on road construction crews and driving trucks in West Texas, before moving to Waco. Justin then chased his dreams to college, where he received an associate’s degree from Texas State Technical Institute in Floral Horticulture. He used his degree to work for a plant nursery, and as a groundskeeper for a cemetery, where his grandchildren lovingly described it as, “Watering the dead people”. He finished his career as an assembler in an aerial lift company, before retiring in 2008. Although, he stopped working with plants, he never lost his green thumb. He could grow or bring back to life any plant he touched!

Justin was baptized on August 11, 1984 and walked with the Lord the rest of his days. His passion for Christ led to a love of gospel music, and his collection of vinyl albums, 8-tracks, cassettes, and CD’s from years of wandering through music and antique stores could rival a radio DJ. Through the years, Justin and Peggy attended numerous gospel concerts, and when they could not attend, you could often find them watching them on tv. That is if there was not a bull riding event, where Justin could name every cowboy and bull alike. The lovebirds also enjoyed antiquing, cruising, and in recent years, camping in their travel trailer.

Justin will be dearly missed by all who were privileged to know him and be loved by him. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his son, Jeff Gould and wife Lisa of Coppell, Texas; his daughter, Valerie Gould Ballard and husband Donnie of Dumas, Texas; five grandchildren, Ashlea Gould Alford and husband Sean of Coppell, Texas; Lauren Gould Bledsoe and husband Travis of Aubrey, Texas; B.J. Ballard and wife Jessica of Dumas, Texas; Heather Ballard Jolly and husband Cody of Dumas, Texas; and Krystal Ballard San Miguel and husband Derrick of Amarillo, Texas. Justin’s greatest joys were his nine great grandchildren: Madi and Kenzie Alford, Blaze and Gunnar Bledsoe, Cylus and Liliana Ballard, Rhylee and Barrett Jolly, and Emilia San Miguel. He is also survived by his siblings Charlene Moore of Plainview, Texas; Carlin Long and wife Freda of Muleshoe, Texas; Clin Long and wife Susan of Crowell, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Service will be held on April 10, 2021 at 1:30pm in the First Street Church in Dumas, Texas

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reach Out Honduras (www.reachouthonduras.org) or St. Jude’s (www.stjude.org).