Charles Kenneth Long

Charles Kenneth (Ken) Long, age 89, went to be with the LORD on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Ken was born May 2, 1936 in Patillo, TX to Tim Long and Velma Allen Long. He grew up in Patillo and Santo, TX. He attended school in Santo until the last semester of his senior year. He then moved to Boyd, TX to live with his brother and sister-in-law in order to finish up school a little earlier at Boyd High School. Ken married Sandra Ruth Shands on September 16, 1955. They were married for 69 years until she passed away in May of this year (2025). Together they raised four children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.

Ken attended Patillo Baptist Church when he was young, and he asked Jesus in to his heart at the age of 14. When Ken moved to Santo with his parents, he attended Santo First Baptist Church. After he and Sandra married, they attended Parker Street Baptist Church in Mineral Wells, TX, and South Park Baptist Church (formerly Hemphill St Baptist Church) in Fort Worth, TX. In 1970, they moved back to Santo where they lived for the remainder of their lives. They joined Santo First Baptist Church where Ken taught Royal Ambassadors (RAs), Sunday School, and was a deacon for many years. He loved to study the Bible and particularly enjoyed studying Bible prophecy. Ken loved Jesus and all of his life revolved around his relationship with Christ. He was a kind, gentle man. His children can attest to the fact that the man you saw on Sunday was the same man he was all through the week.

Ken worked for the Texas Highway Department, Rivers & Associates, Omega Company, Anderson Operating, South West Labs, and retired from the City of Mineral Wells in 2005. Ken grew up in the country and loved living in the country. He would tell stories about working in the fields with his family as a child. When he was about 8 years old, his job was to carry water to his family and friends in the field. He learned to drive the tractor at a young age because it was easier than some of the other farming tasks. He enjoyed some of his adult years raising livestock, primarily cattle.

Ken loved family vacations to various places in the country, but his favorite place to go was Colorado. He loved being in the mountains. He and Sandra continued to go to Colorado almost every year after they retired.

Ken always enjoyed when company would come by, and he could share a pot of coffee. Spending time with his family and friends was what he loved to do, and it would be an extra bonus for him if there was singing in the living room or a good game of dominoes or farkle at the dining room table.

Ken is survived by four children; one son, Kenneth Ray (Michelle) Long of Santo, TX; three daughters, Janet (Phil) Colvin of Santo, TX; Deborah (Russell) Pope of Red River, NM; Jeana (Kenneth) Poynor of Mineral Wells, TX; eleven grandchildren, Kyle Sportsman, Timothy (Emily) Long, Philip (Amanda) Colvin, Ruth Colvin, Lydia (Josh) Williams, Jennifer Pope, Jessica Pope, Brad (Lindsay) Poynor, Jennifer (Mark) Hamilton, Nathan Poynor, Allison Poynor; 18 great grandchildren, numerous special nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Ken is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Sandra Ruth Shands Long; his parents, Tim and Velma Long; 4 brothers and their wives, Jewel (Flora) Long, Earl (Lawanda) Long, Curtis (Betty) Long, Eugene (Kay) Long; and one sister, Opal (Charles) Fry; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Earl and Wilamet Shands; and brother-in-law and sister-in law, Raymond and Connie Shands.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Baum Carlock Bumgardner Funeral Home Chapel in Mineral Wells. Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Santo with Pastor Chris Weaver officiating. Interment will be at Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Patillo, immediately following the service.

Pallbearers will be Russell Pope, Kenny Poynor, Nathan Poynor, Brad Poynor, Timothy Long, Kyle Sportsman, Philip Colvin, Rob Shands, and Ryan Shands.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Phil Colvin, Paul Colvin, Tim Long, Brian Long, Michael Price, Gene Edwards, Dr. David Ramsey, Mark Tackett, Ronnie Johnson, Tim Winbourn, Joe Ray Snow, Robert Banks, Charles Kitchens, and Joe Harrison.

We give our most heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Alice Ramsey for her wisdom and care of Daddy these last many years of his life. Also, we would like to sincerely thank Dr. J. Keith Roland and Dr. David Ramsey who provided care in Ken’s earlier life. We would like to express our appreciation to the many staff members at College Park Rehab & Care Center, Alpha Omega Hospice, and Renew Home Health. We express great gratitude to our sitters who helped us keep both Ken and Sandra at home as long as possible – Karrie Roe, Brooke Willis, Connie Cox, Jodi Sellers, and Debbie Marsden. Finally, we would like to thank the many family members and friends who brought countless meals to our home, lifted us up in prayer and were such an encouragement to us – Toni Long, Karen Snow, Cathy Johnson, Connie Thornton, Kristen Box, and many, many, others. Our best love and thanks to all of you.