Rolla Lewis Long, Jr. 81 of Houston, died peacefully at his home Tuesday February 27th, 2018 surrounded by his family.

Rolla Long was born May 23, 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana.  He was the only child of Rolla Lewis Long, Sr. and Margaret Nettles Long.  Rolla spent the first twelve years of his life in Shreveport before moving to Houston in 1948 when his father was transferred by the Hughes Tool Company.  He attended the San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos, Texas graduating in 1954.  He graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

Rolla met, fell in love with, and married the former Marthann Miller of Shreveport, Louisiana.  They were married on December 21, 1957, recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Anyone who met Rolla knew he had an incredible love of life.  He was a very strong supporter of the oil and gas industry, going to work as an independent minerals investor right after college.  He was a longtime member of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) and North American Royalty Owners Association (NARO), attending many conventions over the years.   When Rolla was not at his office making out his deposit slips, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and three children, Roanne, Rolla III, and Christopher.

Even though Rolla lived in Houston the past 70 years, he never cut his ties to Shreveport.  He was a long-time member of the Shreveport Club.  Additionally, most every spring, he attended the Holiday Inn Dixie Cotillion of which he was the past president of the Duchess Club.

Another passion of his was tennis.  A longtime member of the University Club, Houston Racquet Club and Forest Club, Rolla could be found on the courts most every Wednesday and Saturday morning.  He also looked forward to playing in the World Oilman’s Tennis Tournament every May which he did for almost thirty years.

A vociferous reader, Rolla was always reading a new book along with multiple newspapers and magazines.  He was constantly cutting out articles for his family to read, placing them in individual piles for pickup or sending them thru the mail.  Though maybe not fully appreciated at the time, his children and grandchildren were better off from this thoughtful gesture.

Rolla was a committed Christian and served his Lord Jesus Christ all his life.  He was never too busy to help out a friend or a neighbor.  He and his wife were longtime members of West University United Methodist Church.  Rolla was the epitome of a Christian gentlemen, something he strived to live up to every day of his life. 

Rolla is survived by his wife, Marthann, daughter Roanne Long Glover and husband Gary Glover, son Rolla Long III and wife Katherine Long, and Christopher Long and wife Monique Long, grandson Harrison Stow and wife Krista Stow, granddaughter Christina Stow, granddaughter Margaret Long, great-grandson Carter Ryan Stow, and numerous cousins.  The pallbearers will be Melvin Derong, Gary Glover, Howell “Spanky” Lewis, Christopher Long, Rolla Long, and Harrison Stow.

A visitation will be held at Bradshaw Carter Memorial and Funeral Services, 1734 W. Alabama in Houston from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, March 2, 2018. A celebration service will be held at ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday March 3, 2018  at West University United Methodist Church, 3611 University Blvd in Houston. Burial at Glenwood Cemetery immediately following the service.  The family will be hosting a reception to follow.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the dedicated caregivers Nancy Arceneaux, Gigi Adem, Cynthia Henderson, Leonard Pradin, and Donna Gildford providing such wonderful, loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Foundation or the charity of your choice.

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