Ralph E. Long

Ralph E. Long, (88) of Terre Haute passed away November 29, 2020.  He was the Owner of Ralph Long’s Auto Sales and has been a car dealer in Terre Haute for fifty plus years.  Born October 20, 1932 in Terre Haute to John Taylor Long and Alberta Ligon Long, his wife, Eva (Nasser) Long, preceded him in death in 2000.

He leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda Long-Sharp, J.D. and Dr. Scott Sharp of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Nicole Eva Marie Long Sharp J.D. of Indianapolis and Chad Michael Long Sharp of Ann Arbor, MI;  sister, Rita Coleman-Alsop  and brother Larry Long of Terre Haute; his closest friends and posse, Walter “Buddy” Sebastian and Billy Schoffstall; his Godson, Kevin Coleman, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and dear friends from the YMCA and later, including Louie Seprodi, Keith McElroy, Mike Hunter and Greg Archer.  He was also preceded in death by brothers Taylor, Carl, Louie, and Tommy Long; a nephew particularly close to his heart, William (“Fred”) Decker; and a loving great-nephew, Mathew Coleman.

Ralph was a graduate of Gerstmeyer High School and earned his Bachelors’ in Business Administration from Indiana State University.  He served with the United State Marine Corps during the Korean War.  He was and is a Marine.

Ralph was a sports enthusiast and energized those around him to do their personal best.  He was at various times city golf champ, racquetball champ, and handball champ.  He was a bronze medalist in the Indiana State White River Games (Racquetball, Senior Division).  Ralph spent many an evening at the YMCA (later the YW) playing racquetball and weightlifting.   While there, he started the 300 pound club (encouraging others to train to make one lift at that weight) and later the 1000 pound club (3 lifts totaling 1000 pounds). He also rode motocross.

Known for his generous spirit, Ralph was a champion of animals, especially those that needed homes.  He was an entrepreneur.  After returning from the war, and while working for McNeil Laboratories in the 1950s and 1960s, Ralph began his lifelong dream of owning his own business.  He began buying cars and fixing them up.  He and wife Eva sold them from their home on South 10 ^th Street while Eva attended classes at Indiana State, culminating in her Master’s degree in Education.  Ralph Long Auto Sales opened on North 3 ^rd Street in the early 1970s.  Ralph and Buddy Sebastian began collaborating 30+ years later.

Although Ralph’s favorite food was ice cream (indeed he swore one could live on that alone), the sweetest things in his life were his two grandchildren.  Ice cream, however, was a very solid third.  His nickname was “the rock” both because he could always be counted on and because he was physically solid as one.  His wisdom: 1) always walk with your shoulders back and your head high; 2) play fair; and 3) say “I love you” to those you do as often as you can.

Friends and family are welcome to gather at the grave site for the burial at Highland Lawn Cemetery on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 1:45 pm.  In lieu of flowers, if friends should so desire, memorial contributions may be made to Lawton Byrum Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #972, 1111 Veteran Square, Terre Haute, IN 47807 or to the Terre Haute Humane Society, 1811 South Fruitridge Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47803.  Funeral information is also available at www.callahanandhughes.com.