Dale K. Long, 69, of Sterling, courageously lost his long battle with esophageal cancer on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 31, in Sterling at the First Presbyterian Church, 130 S. Fourth St. The Rev. Michelle D. Witherspoon will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Lunch will follow at the Elks Club for family and friends.

Dale Long was born Aug. 16, 1940, in Imperial, Neb., to Leo and Dorothy (Turnbaugh) Long. He grew up in Nebraska attending Madrid Public Schools graduating in 1958. Thus began his long love of learning. Dale earned his Bachelor of Arts in Teaching from Kearney State Teacher Dale K. Long College in 1962. He continued his education and earned a master's degree in secondary school administration in 1973 from Western State College.

Dale's long dedication to students began as a biology teacher in Pueblo. He taught there from 1962 to 1969. From there he moved to Sterling and taught biology for 13 years. Dale's passion for helping students reach their full potential lead him to become the assistant principal at Sterling High School in 1980. In 1984, Dale went on to become the principal of Caliche Jr.-Sr. High School. His passion for students, families, and the community was demonstrated in every job he held. He especially enjoyed the colleagues along the way that he worked with that became his dear friends.

During the summers he began crop adjusting. This later bloomed into a second career upon his retirement from education in 1993. He worked as a full-time crop adjuster and later became a supervisor that he continued until the decline in his health.

In 1959 he married DeeEtta Tharp in Grant, Neb. They were later divorced. To this union two children were born, Michael and Lisa.
Dale married Judy (Manuello) Armstrong on Sept. 22, 2000. Dale and Judy made their home on the south side of the South Platte River. Together they enjoyed spending time with family, friends, playing cards, watching the Rockies, and road trips to visit grandkids in Idaho and Denver.

Dale enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, attending all levels of sporting events -- especially the Rockies, and trips to Black Hawk and Vegas. Playing cards and his times spent at the Elk's Lodge and Lu's were among his favorites. Despite spending much of his life living in Colorado, Dale was always a Big Red Nebraska Cornhusker fan!

Dale is survived by his wife, Judy of Sterling; son Mike Long and wife Kris Stoffer of Haley, Idaho; daughter, Lisa Wallace and husband Brian of Denver; his grandchildren, Jackson, Will, and Aidan Long, Andy and Kelsie Wallace of Denver; his mother, Dorothy Meyer of Grant, Neb.; sister, Beverly Holzfaster and husband Ralph of Paxton, Neb.; four nephews, Tim , Patrick, Jon, and Michael Holzfaster; one niece, Amy Militti. Dale is also survived by three step-sons, Jason Armstrong and wife Janessa and Sklyer, Chase, and MaKenna; Jerod Armstrong and wife Carlye and Kendyll and Lily; and Justin Armstrong and wife Kerri and Kole and Dylan; sister-in-law, Lynn Manuello; brother-in-law, Don Manuello and wife Maren; and step-nieces and nephews, Dana Manuello, Lori Taplin, Mike Manuello, Matt Welsh, Julie Kokes, Darrin Manuello, Jami Martin, and their families, all of Sterling, as well as many friends he made through teaching, crop adjusting, and playing cards.

Dale was preceded in death by his father, Leo Long in1947; step-father, William H. Meyer; and brother-in-law, Jim Manuello.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to the Dale K. Long Memorial, 18295 C.R. 367, Sterling, CO 80751.

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.