David James Long, Sr., age 96, of Ocean View, DE passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the Delaware Hospice Center, in Milford, DE.

David was born in Roxana, DE on November 2, 1927 the youngest of six children to the late Fred and Maddie (Cooper) Long.  He grew up on a farm in Roxana where his dad farmed and sold honey while him mom helped on the farm and vaccinated chickens.  Growing up so close to the ocean he enjoyed fishing, swimming and hunting for rabbits with his dogs.  His mother would fry rabbit for breakfast and cook duck or fish for supper.

His great great great grandfather David James Long fought in the Revolutionary War and Dave continued the family tradition by serving in the Merchant Marines after high school and carried supplies to the armed forces during WWII.  He saw the world, Africa, Asia, Europe and South Asia. The adventures he had would fill a book which he did write, and instilled in him a lifetime love for travel.

He married Betty Jean McCabe and two years later the twins were born.  The family moved to Virginia, where Dave worked for Plant Engineering. Betty and the twins would come to Delaware for the summers and Dave would spend long weekends in Delaware.  In 1972, the family moved back to Delaware for good.  Dave got his real estate and broker license and owned and operated DJ Long Real Estate for over 25 years.

David grabbed life with both hands and was always up for an adventure.  He loved to read, garden, fish, hunt, explore history and have a nice drink of Jack Daniels.  The world will never be the same without David James Long, Sr.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his five siblings, Horace, Florence, Edna, Tink and Madelyn and his beloved dog, Ali.  He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Betty Jean (McCabe) Long; his twins, David J. Long Jr. and his wife Sara Beth of Ocean View, DE and Dawn Barnes and her husband, Terry of Bedford, PA; three grandchildren, David J. Long, III and his wife, Kristy, Benjamin Barnes and Andrew Barnes and four great grandchildren, Summer Long, Courtney Long, Hunter Barnes and Remi Barnes.

A visitation will be held from 3-4 PM on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Rd., Ocean View, DE 19970.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in David's name to the Brandywine Valley SPCA by visiting www.bvspca.org