Funeral services for Terry Long, 70 of Pierre, SD formerly of Timber Lake will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 at 2:00 pm CT at Kesling Funeral Chapel, Mobridge, SD. Interment will take place at the Timber Lake Cemetery at 2:30 pm MT. Terry died on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 at the Avantara Nursing Home in Pierre.

The funeral service will be livestreamed.

Terry Lee Long was born on October 21, 1955, to Maxine (Cudmore) and Kenneth Long in Mobridge, SD. He was the 5th child and joined siblings Myrna, Kenny, Ronnie and Robert. He proudly claimed the nicknames of “Poncho and Cracker”. As a child, he was always mischievous and looking for something to get into.

He graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1973 at the age of 17. During his high school years, he worked on the family farm which was the biggest hog producer in South Dakota. Following graduation, he moved to Wyoming and worked as a ranch hand for a Senator, then moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he built sewer lagoons and worked with a box culvert crew. Always looking for a new adventure, he went back to Wyoming and worked in the oil fields and later took a job as a lineman. What an adventure that was! He climbed as high as 350 feet on a tower and up to 100 feet on a pole. Heights didn’t scare him one bit! He talked about working a ten-week period in which he was in ten different states, six of them twice.

In May 1981, Terry suffered a head wound in a shooting accident. He underwent surgery and months of therapy and was finally able to use his arms and legs again. That didn’t slow him down whatso-ever. Following rehabilitation, he became a certified taxidermist and opened his own business. He loved this job!

In October 1988, he suffered a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair for mobility. You could often see him cruising around in his electric wheelchair and you may even see a “wheelie” or two. His sister Myrna would have to rescue him when he tipped over on the railroad tracks in Rapid City. A typical wise crack about “what caused him to tip over” was provided immediately.

Again, nothing stopped him as he took college classes and worked as a volunteer host for the National Forest Service at the Pactola Visitor Center. He truly loved this job and the many acquaintances he made. Terry also worked as a volunteer for the Disabled American Veterans where he helped in the creation of commercial videos.

Although he was confined to a wheelchair, he practiced his philosophy of “Life Goes On”. The disability didn’t stop him from participating in Ski for Light for several years and winning numerous awards.

Due to health conditions, he eventually moved to Golden Living Nursing Home in Mobridge, SD and in January 2012, moved to Avantara Nursing Home in Pierre, SD.

Terry never knew a stranger and made friends very easily. Despite his many challenges, he was usually happy and known to be quick witted and a jokester. He made a lasting friendship with one of the employees at Avantara Nursing Home and fondly nicknamed him “Buttercup”. Thank you Mark for having a heart of gold and always being there for Terry.

Although he was confined to his bed, he found ways to enjoy life. You could almost always find him watching the History channel or a good John Wayne movie. He loved kids and enjoyed facetime calls, watching videos and visiting with his great-great nieces. Again, in true Terry fashion, he gave each of them a nickname and they will cherish his memory forever.

Terry loved playing cribbage with his card partner and best friend, Waldon Jewett. They often called the other one a “card cheat”. He couldn’t wait to get to Heaven to play a “good” cribbage game with Waldon and thought that he should probably take a new deck of cards with him.

Terry is survived by his son, Billy (Jennifer Bishop) Walters and their children, Nadia and Gideon; his sister, Myrna Fiddler; his brothers, Ronnie and Robert (Darshan) Long and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Kenneth and Maxine Long; brother, Kenny Long; granddaughter, Hailey; sister-in-law, Lila Long; maternal grandparents, Fred and Josie Cudmore; paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Minnie Long as well as several other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Although Terry is no longer with us, his wild and carefree spirit will remain in our hearts forever. We love you and will miss you dearly.