Derle Ray Long joined our Heavenly Father on October 10th, 2022 at his home in Monroe, Louisiana. He was born on August 15, 1956, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Derle Gene Long and Naomi Kelley. Services for Derle Ray Long will be held on Saturday, October 15th at 3:00PM with visitation prior 1:30-3PM at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Graveside services will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park, located behind Seale Funeral Home. Derle was passionate about music in higher education and served at the University of Louisiana at Monroe as Director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. He enjoyed 22 years as a Warhawk at ULM and spent a majority of his time recruiting, mentoring students and making sure everyone was fed something cajun! He is a graduate of Istrouma High School class of 1974, Louisiana State University class of 1978, received his Masters in Music Education from LSU in 1983 and Doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2008. Derle spent many years teaching at W.T. White High School in Dallas, Texas, Middle Tennessee State University, Hattiesburg High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Lafayette High School in Lafayette, Louisiana. He leaves behind a legacy with hundreds of music students of all ages who were blessed to have his mentorship. Derle enjoyed partnering with Miss Louisiana Organization, American Dance & Drill Team, and the Dallas Cotton Bowl where he served as judge, mentor and coordinator at large. His hobbies included cooking and entertaining with a flare for jokes and storytelling. Related or not, most referred to him as family. Derle was the youngest of three children and is survived by his brother Kerry Gene Long and wife Barbara and sister Kathy Long Ross. He was a proud uncle to Kevin Gene Long and wife Denise, Hunter, Hagen and Hailey Long, and Liam Long; Kellie Long Bouquet and husband Jason, Caroline and Collin Bouquet; Keith Long; Kandi Gallaty and husband Robby, Rig and Ryder Gallaty; Rebecca Aucoin and husband Robby, Baylen, Anabelle, Dominic and Katherine Aucoin; and Brian Ross. He is also survived by his stepmother Lorena Jones Long and her four children; Denise Recatto and husband Mike, Randy Bayhi and wife Jamie,Terri Bayhi and Karl Bayhi. He is preceded in death by his father Derle Gene, mother Naomi, and brother in law Abe Ross. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the ULM Foundation, 700 University Ave, Monroe, LA 71209 to Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA). Contributions may be made online with a credit card or checking account draft at https://webservices.ulm.edu/give/ by selecting My Passion in the designation drop-down menu and entering VAPA. The family would like to thank the University of Louisiana at Monroe and all of Dr. Derle Long’s students and colleagues for your memories shared. “May the road rise to meet you.”
8 comments
Christopher Presnall
November 6, 2022 at 11:14 pm
You made a mark in my life Dr Long and for that I am eternally grateful. R.I.P.
Doug Jones
October 18, 2022 at 4:55 pm
We were so sorry to hear of Derle Ray’s passing. We were friends and family for many years and had many good times together. Wishing the family our heartfelt sympathies. With deepest sympathies.
Nancy & Doug Jones
Joyce and CR Pennington
October 13, 2022 at 7:57 pm
Derle has been a part of American Dance/Drill Team for 40+ years and been such an important part of our company. He taught marching at the dance camps and was one of the favorites of all the teams that attended. He was the life of any gathering by making us laugh and tell stories for hours. CR and I will miss him terribly as he would visit us in Salado often. We are grateful for every moment we spent with Derle as it was always a joy. Rest in peace, Derle, and hope you and Dr. Dreibrodt are leading the heavenly band!
Jay Curtis
October 13, 2022 at 7:22 pm
Derle was such a lover of people — my wife and I had the pleasure of joining the Sound of Today for a trip to Ireland, where the band would march in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The economic downturn just months before the trip meant the price of the trip went up substantially and many students dropped out due to the cost. To make up the numbers, Derle asked the alumni, “Would you be willing to put on a uniform and march in the parade with us?” Of course we said yes, and we proudly marched with the Sound of Today in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade in front of over 300,000 people!
We’re so thankful for the memories we have with Derle, grateful for the time we knew him, and so proud of the legacy he leaves.
Chuck Hughes
October 13, 2022 at 7:08 pm
Dr. Long will be greatly missed by his students and colleagues. I can’t imagine what the university will be like without him. He made such a lasting impression. Whenever I listen to music, I often wonder what Dr. Long would think of it. He had such wide interests and abilities. Rest in piece.
Matthew H. James
October 13, 2022 at 4:45 pm
A great director and an adept leader. He will be sorely missed.
John William Sutherlin
October 13, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Derle Long is what all professors aspire to become: knowledgeable in his field of study, loved by his students, and respected by his peers. He was cherished by all that knew him. Derle was an esteemed member of the university community and touched lives everywhere he served.
Marilyn Stewart Burleigh
October 13, 2022 at 1:28 pm
I remember the great times we had in the LSU bands. Derle Ray was a joy to be around and he left his mark on everyone he met, In addition to his quick wit, joyful attitude on life, and being a friend to all, he was a gifted musician. He will be missed.