Richard Leroy Long was born in Hollywood, California, on May 20, 1958, and was adopted at birth by Albert and Virginia Long. Ricky graduated from Stephenville High School in 1976 and Tarleton State University in 1981, where he rodeoed and met Diana Sommers. After graduation, they were married in August 1981 at the Chapel on the Bosque in Stephenville, TX and immediately relocated to Mineola.

Ricky continued calf roping in the PRCA and working at Master Point Farms. He made lifelong friendships traveling the country during his rodeo days. In 1994, Ricky purchased what would become Long Feed and Seed, where he spent 30 years serving and building relationships with both his employees and customers. Each June for 49 consecutive years, Ricky returned to Stephenville to teach youth at the 4-H Roping School.

After retirement, Ricky continued to provide roping lessons and could often be found in the Mineola Primary School pickup line or planning the next dove hunt.

Ricky’s greatest joy came from being a husband and raising two children. He is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Diana Sommers Long; daughter Sommer Ledkins and her husband, Josh; and son Trevor Long and his wife, Grace; his grandsons, Jack Michael Ledkins, Luke Ledkins, and Caleb Long.