Virl (Chad) Chadwick Long Obituary (1929

Virl Chadwick Long passed away peacefully and with dignity at his home in North Carolina on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, just shy of his 95th birthday. Born in Provo, Utah, on November 1, 1929, to Levi and Manila (Nell) Peterson Long, Virl entered the world only days after the stock market crash that would spark the Great Depression. His early years were marked by both the challenges and triumphs of that era. As he often reflected, “There were good times and bad times, happy times and sad times, but in those difficult days, survival was the key.” His childhood stories, shared fondly with family and friends, were a testament to his resilience and adventurous spirit. From an early age, Virl embodied strength and determination. Though small in stature, he quickly learned to stand tall and defend himself. His fiery spirit, while at times landing him in trouble, or the occasional scuffle, was a defining trait of his character. It fueled his resolve to live life on his own terms, never backing down from a challenge. At the age of 19, Virl enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served from 1948 to 1952. His time included two years in the North China Sea aboard the USS Jicarilla ATF-104, followed by two years stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. For his service, he was honorably discharged, earning three distinguished medals: the China Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Music and art were among Virl’s greatest passions, offering a glimpse into his deeply sensitive and creative nature. He learned to play music not through formal lessons but from his mother, who had an abiding love for music despite not playing herself. She would hum a tune, and Virl would play it by ear. A talented musician, he mastered the accordion, harmonica, and piano and found joy in playing with a local dance band. His artistic talents extended to sketching, painting, and wood carving, where he expressed himself with the same passion that marked his life. Yet, the greatest love of Virl’s life was Ruth Kramer, his beloved wife. They met on a blind date, and from that moment, their future together was set. Married on May 2, 1955, their union spanned 62 years, marked by unwavering faith, hard work, and deep devotion to one another. Together, they built a life rooted in strong values, a love for the Lord, and a home filled with love. Virl was a devoted husband, faithfully standing by Ruth’s side even during the most difficult of times, including her battle with Alzheimer’s, which ultimately claimed her life in 2017. Through the joys and sorrows of raising three children, their bond was unshakeable, a love story of resilience and grace. Virl’s career spanned 30 years at Brigham Young University, where he worked in the Mechanical Shop. He spoke warmly of his colleagues and the professors he befriended during his tenure, with a particular focus on maintaining the autoclaves critical to the Biology Department’s work. Virl is survived by his sons, Pete Long and Mike (Omariah) Long, his daughter, Becki (Geoff), thirteen grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. His legacy of strength, creativity, and love endures through them. A celebration of Virl’s life will take place at 11:00 a.m., with music beginning at 10:40 a.m., on Friday, September 27, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5897 Hemby Rd., Weddington, NC. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo, UT. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in memory of Virl Chad Long, Via Health Partners, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247 or online at www.viagiving.org/one-time-giving