Harold Long's Obituary
Harold Lowell Long, 92, passed peacefully at his home on Tuesday, December 9th surrounded by loved ones. He was born in the old farmhouse on Graceham Road on July 12, 1933, and was a life-long farmer. Harold married Mary Kathryn Schildt on Oct. 5, 1956 and just a month ago they celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary. The couple started milking cows in 1956 at Mary (Peggy’s) grandfather Leatherman’s Springfield Farm in Lewistown, today it’s Springfield Winery.
Harold was the eighth child born to Franklin and Ruth (Troxell) Long. The Frederick County dairyman held many titles over the years — husband, Dad, Pap, Pappy, Uncle Cap, brother and friend. He was loved by many. He was also known as the “Groundhog Man,” spending many retirement years trapping hundreds of groundhogs every year and selling them to an ethnic restaurant near Silver Spring. He grew up active in 4-H and FFA and attended two Maryland 4-H Club Weeks in D.C.
Harold attended the Creagerstown one-room schoolhouse and later attended Thurmont High School. After his senior year in 1952, Harold and three of his best friends traveled to the Golden Gate Bridge in California with a stop at the Grand Canyon. All four young men had $100 in their pocket and drove a 1950 Pontiac. The foursome had a 10-day adventure of a lifetime.
In 1969 Harold was selected as the Frederick County Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Farmer. Harold and Peggy moved in 1971 to Harold’s family farm on Graceham Road and continued milking cows. He also raised pigs and grew crops until his retirement in 2000, at 67 years old. Even in retirement, Harold continued to raise calves, pigs, meat rabbits and was also known for breeding quality Beagle puppies.
As a life-long dairyman, he shipped milk to Maryland Virginia Milk Cooperative and enjoyed breeding Brown Swiss and Holstein cattle. He bred several national champion Brown Swiss and loved wearing his Long View Farm Brown Swiss hat. His nickname is “Cap,” for just that reason, he wore a cap since he was a young boy. In retirement he purchased two Haflinger draft horses and enjoyed hooking them to a wagon and taking his friends, family and grandchildren around Lewistown. Many of his greatest times were with his grandchildren — picking corn and husking it, rides to the livestock auction, helping them with their 4-H projects, and sharing his passion for farming.
He loved reminiscing about growing up on the farm, his work horses, his job at the canning factory and feed store, and enjoying his mother’s fried chicken. He also shared many fun stories growing up with his nine siblings, all born in the old farm house. Their childhood pranks clearly extended into their adult life. Although quiet at times, Harold was known for his quick wit and laidback nature. He enjoyed jokes with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his senior years, he enjoyed eating crabs and taking rides in the country that often ended with a stop for ice cream.
Over the years, Harold and Peggy were honored by several organizations. In the 1980s they were the Maryland 4-H Family of the Year. Their most recent and significant award was being inducted into the Maryland Dairy Shrine in 2022 recognizing the Longs for their dedication to the dairy industry and for their achievements breeding and raising Brown Swiss and Holstein dairy cattle. He managed the Milking Parlor at the Great Frederick Fair for 10 years and enjoyed being a 4-H volunteer. Harold was a member of St. Paul’s Utica Lutheran Church where he enjoyed being a church greeter, attending men’s Sunday School and helping with the Utica Picnic.
He was also a member of the Maryland and National Brown Swiss Associations where he once served as state president. Harold belonged to the Frederick County and Maryland Farm Bureau and the Thurmont Grange. When he was not milking cows, baling hay, or attending a meeting, Harold was fishing or hunting with his family. He taught many of his grandchildren those skills at an early age. He went deer and elk hunting in Colorado and West Virginia with family and friends. He enjoyed beach trips for crabbing and fishing, and helped with family butcherings. For many years Harold played cards weekly with his brother and friends. He was a diehard Orioles fan and rarely missed watching them on television. Harold instilled a strong work ethic in his children and grandchildren and will be remembered for his sense of humor, kind nature, hugs and kisses.
He is remembered by long-time devoted friends Mary Sue and Richard Grossnickle. Together, they enjoyed Maryland Farm Bureau Conventions, cruises, and other fun times. The family also thanks Harold’s home-care givers, Angie, Princess, Zariah, Lisa, Loretta and Faith for their wonderful care and also Hospice of Frederick, especially Lori and Chrystal.
Harold is survived by his children, Cindy Warner (Pete) of Frederick; Karen Cole (Kevin) of Lewistown; Douglas Long (Debbie) of Cascade; Jerry Schildt (Lori) of Shreveport, La.; Patty Long-Young Hopkins (Rod) of Frederick; Becky Chaney (Lee) of Keymar; and Dennis Long of Emmitsburg.
Harold is also survived by his older sister Gloriae Long Green of Thurmont, and younger siblings, Raymond Long of Thurmont and Carole Beauchamp of Bisbee, Ariz.; grandchildren, Heather Long, Jimmy Young (Heather Bell), Brittany Cole Albaugh (Dennis), D.J. Long (McKenna), Patrick Long, Tyler Cole (Mackenzie), Andrew Long (Amber), Kristi Jo Long Lewandowski (Chris), Morgan Cole Tyeryar (Ryan), David Young (McKaila), Rianna Chaney and Sheridan Chaney; and 20 great grandchildren, Ricky Moser and LeBron Barnes; Delaney, Braelyn and Caysen Albaugh; Tinsley and Rowland Young; Brantlee and Rhett Young; Gemma and Baylor Lewandowski; Tripp and Stevie Long; Jacob Cole; Bennett Tyeryar; Noah and Christopher Long; Alyssa and Damion Ridenour; and Hannah Long.
Viewing will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 19 at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Hwy, Frederick, Maryland. A celebration of Harold’s life will be Saturday, December 20th at St. Paul’s Utica Lutheran Church, 10625 Old Frederick Road, Frederick, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a wake, followed by the celebration of life service at 11 a.m. Graveside will be at Resthaven Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.
Pallbearers include Jerry Schildt, David Young, James Young, D.J. Long, Tyler Cole, Ricky Moser, and Brian Schurman. Honorary pallbearers include Dennis Long, Lance Young, Rodman Myers, Michael Leatherman, Rodney Young, Chris Best, and Douglas Long.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Thurmont Grange, c/o Cathy Little, 7776 Black Road, Thurmont, MD 21788; Frederick County 4-H Camp and Activities Center c/o Christy Fuss, 3702 Basford Rd., Frederick, MD 21703; or the St. Paul’s Utica Lutheran Women’s League, c/o Billie Jo Devilbiss, 10625 Old Frederick Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.
What’s your fondest memory of Harold?
What’s a lesson you learned from Harold?
Share a story where Harold's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Harold you’ll never forget.
How did Harold make you smile?