It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our beloved Thomas (Tucky) Long on April 16, 2025, at home surrounded by his family and Hospice care singing his favorite Elvis Presley song, “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.”

Tucky was born on May 28, 1942 to William Fraser Long & Anita Boyce Long in Eureka. His Grandma Boyce used to sing “Little Tommy Tucker Sings For His Supper” to him and over time he became “Tucky”!

As the youngest of four boys, he spent many summers at Ft Seward, Dos Rios and Island Mountain “walking the tracks” each evening with his brothers and father and playing Cowboys & Indians. He always wanted to be Roy Rogers but his older brothers said there were already too many Roy Rogers, so, he never got to be Roy Rogers. Now, he’s Roy Rogers in the sky!

Tucky graduated from St Bernard Catholic High Class of 1960 where he excelled in football and basketball. He never would have graduated without the help from Madeline Sabella & Georgia Wahl. Following his three older brothers, his first job was at EP Ray Mobile Station at Wabash & B. After numerous ambitious attempts, he was hired by PG&E in Eureka where he worked for 35 years as the head of the Map Drafting Department, retiring in 1995. Based on his knowledge and expertise, after retirement he was called back to work several times. He enjoyed his PG&E friends so much.

In 1962, through a mutual friend, Dennis McManus he was encouraged to cash his paycheck at BofA with Tahni Myers, who he bravely asked out for a date and the rest is history…They were married soon after at St Bernard Catholic Church in Eureka.

In 1964, the real love of his life, Tracy Jill Mary (TJ) Long was born, building their family with such love. That love & pride increased a thousand times over with the births of his two very precious granddaughters, Whitney & Bailey!

Family was very important to Tucky who, being a new Dad, welcomed his two teenage sisters-in-law into their family and became an important father figure to them, a position he took on with love that lasted the rest of his life. He and Tahni never missed a game or a competition, not just for their grandchildren, but for their many nieces and nephews.

Over the years he coached his daughter’s baseball team with Patrick Folkins & Jack Macdonald for Cutten Ridgewood League. In the 1970’s he worked on the pit crews for stock car racers Denny Myers #8 and Ed Tanferani #71 – the ‘real’ years of racing! He followed Nascar Racing and his favorite driver was Bill Elliott #9. He was an avid SF 49er fan throughout his life, holding season tickets, attending many games, sharing his passion with his family, and was able to get into the locker rooms several times.

His Happy Place - around 1975, Tucky & Tahni got a campsite at Chezem Ranch in the Redwood Creek area. Soon after, Larry & Vicki Sallady also got a campsite and thus began the Larry “The Goose” and Tucky “Longarm” wood cutting expeditions, joined soon by Paul Marold. Good times were had by all. Redwood Creek was enjoyed by every member of Tucky’s extended family, who all remember these days on the river as the best times of their lives. From skipping rocks, inner tube wars, building the dam, and OH the dance floor…

Tucky was a member of the Crusader Athletic Board at St. Bernard High School, Harbor Lanes Bowling League, San Francisco 49er Club & Electrical Engineering & Scientist of California, and the Vista Del Mar Crazy Whalers Softball Team, what fun!

Many who knew Tucky know he struggled with MS for 40+ years, and he had the strongest constitution of anyone we know. He was a supporting “Poppy” and Uncle attending so many special events and games over the span of many years, even when he was not feeling well or even ‘just out of the hospital’, always with a smile and a hug to give!

He was predeceased by his parents William & Anita Long, paternal grandparents William & Christine Long, maternal grandparents Constance & Beryl Boyce, brother Bill Long, Aunts Agnes Chabot, Pat Braafladt, Vera, Uncles Meryl & Beryl Boyce, nephew Jerry Long, cousin Jerry Felt, mother-in-law Bettye Giegnas, special friends Larry Sallady, Karl Brazil, Dave Del Grande, Dennis McManus, Paul & Jean Marold.

Tucky is survived by his wife Tahni Myers Long, daughter (TJ) Tracy Walters, son-in-law Rob Walters, granddaughters Whitney Oliva (Peaches) Walters, Bailey Mariah (Stinky) Walters, brothers Jim (Pat) Long, Jerry (Nema) Long, sister-in-law Dee Long, sisters-in-law Lyndy (Gary) Cunningham, Debbie (Dave) McCanless, nieces & nephews Bill (Debbie), David (Lorie) & Terry Long, Kathy (Greg) Rasmussen, Shari (Alan) Borges, Robbie (Brandi) Cunningham, Melissa (Ryan) Bode, Kenny McCanless, Katie (Matt) Chisam. Great nieces & nephews Lindsey, Tyler & Travis Long, Ross, Ryan Long, Tiffany, Courtney, Bethany, Ben, Stephanie & Hailey Rasmussen, Brittany & Ashley Borges, Kristen Long, Great nieces & nephews Hayden, Rogan & Macy Bode, Chase & Blythe Cunningham, Grady & Miles Chisam, and many other great nieces & nephews from out of the area. Cousins Donna, Patty, Robin, Janice Felt, Chris, the Dickinson family from Arcata/Bayside & Las Vegas, special “big sis” DeeAnne Masino, special friends Vicki Sallady & family, Pat & Sheila Folkins & family, Dennis Grinsell, Ken & Linda Bareilles, Ed Tanferani, Warren & Licia Fowler and so many others too numerous to mention.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Humboldt, Dr. John Gambin, Dr, Donald Iverson, Dr. Michael Palmer, Dr, Henry Trieu, Laura Hall and Dr. Charlie Knoll, City Ambulance Crews, Humboldt Bay Fire – Lift Assist Crews, the Emergency Department staff at St. Joseph Hospital, main lobby Security staff who were especially kind to me at St. Joseph Hospital, Providence Home Health, General Hospital Rehab Staff/Granada Rehab Staff led by Dr. Charlie Knoll. The Cutten Chalet family, Adels family and so very special, our Angel God sent to our door to care for Tucky with such love and kindness until the very end – Melissa Brock. In his final days he was surrounded by family, visited by friends and per his wish, kept comfortably at home by his loving wife Tahni and caregivers. Tucky will be remembered as a class act, with both a staunch stubborn streak, and an exceptional, unshakable love for his family and friends.

Please come share in celebrating his life and your stories with us at a Celebration of Life on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 3-6 at the Eureka Elks Lodge, Herrick Ave in Eureka.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Fall Ct, Eureka, CA 95503, National MS Society, P.O. Box 91891, Washington, DC 20090-1891 or a charity of your choice.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Tucky Long’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.