Richard "Horsebite" Eugene DeLong

November 30, 1948 - March 18, 2009

Richard Eugene DeLong "Horsebite", 60, of Rocky Ford, died on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at his home. He was born on November 30, 1948 in La Junta, to the late Selma and Charles DeLong Sr. He lived on the family farm 6 miles west of Rocky Ford in Patterson Valley his entire life. Richard attended school at the Vroman School, Jefferson School and the Rocky Ford High School, graduating in 1967. While in school he participated in football and basketball. He worked on the farm with his Dad and brothers and when he was a freshman, he began farming 80 acres of the farm on his own as a FFA project. Richard received the State Farmer's Degree in 1967 for FFA due to his four years of farming during high school. Richard was honored as the West Otero Timpas Conservation District's 2006 Conservationist of the year for the modernized irrigation system he installed on the farm. In 2007, he was honored by the Colorado Centennial Farm Program for having the DeLong Family Farm in production for 119 years. He was a third generation farmer who spent his life working the farm, first for his father and then for himself. The farm and his extended family were the love of his life. Horsebite was with the Rocky Ford Fire Department as a volunteer for 26 years helping with emergency calls and fires when there was a call. Richard was a very dedicated supporter of all the students of the valley and surrounding areas in all of their activities such as graduation, ball games or any other activities they might have and especially all of his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Charles DeLong, Jr. and his wife Maxine and a sister-in-law: Iris DeLong. He is survived by: a brother: Gerald DeLong and his wife Shirley; a sister: Dorothy Muth and her husband Alfred; a sister-in-law: Maxine M. DeLong; Nephews: George DeLong and his wife Jenny, Mike DeLong, Tom DeLong, John DeLong and his wife Dawn, Jerry DeLong and his wife Phyllis, David DeLong and his wife Pat, Dennis DeLong and his wife Janice, Dale Muth and his wife Susie; Nieces: Sandra Herndon and her husband Harry, Debra Turner and her husband Ray, Denise DeLong, Janet Golden and her husband Leon, and many great nieces and nephews and numerous friends. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 4:00 PM in the Rocky Ford High School Gymnasium. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2009 from 1-8 PM in the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Casketbearers will be the Rocky Ford Fire Department. A memorial fund has been established with the Rocky Ford Fire Department; 203 S. 9th, Rocky Ford, CO 81067. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Rocky Ford. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent or to view the video tribute go to www.fordustick.com.