Obituaries

Thomas Ralston Long IV, of Uniontown, AL, passed away May 9, 2024, at the age of 76. He was born February 15, 1948, to the late Thomas Ralston Long III and Kitty Grey Coleman Pharr Long.

Graduated from Uniontown High School in 1966.

As a teenager, Ralston achieved rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and was on the football team at Uniontown High School. He attended Alabama Boys State and also served as a Page in the State of Alabama Legislature. He became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Uniontown, later in life serving as a Deacon, and Treasurer of the Church for many years.

Ralston joined the Alabama National Guard in 1970 serving until 1977 in the Unit in Demopolis, AL.

Graduated from The University of Alabama with a BA in English and a Minor in Art in 1973. During his time at UA he was also a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

He was a soybean farmer during his college years until 1985.

He owned Green Gables from 1973 until it burned in 1982.

He was a member of International Motor Sports Association.

He reenlisted in the Guard in 1984 and worked at the Linden, AL National Guard Office and later at the Judge Advocate General Corps Office in Montgomery, AL. He was called to active duty in 2003 to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom serving in the 1208t Quartermaster. He was recognized by the 189th Corps Support Battalion (Airborne) for Outstanding Performance, providing support to the Tallil Airbase Detonation Mission. He retired from the Guard in 2004 an E-6/Staff Sargent.

Ralston was recognized in 1981 by the Alabama State Troopers for his assistance and exceptional performance in apprehending two bank robbery suspects following the robbery of a Uniontown bank.

He received his Law Degree, in 1992 from Faulkner University's Jones Law School inMontgomery, AL. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar Association and for many years he practiced law in his hometown of Uniontown in Perry County, AL.

He served on the Alabama State Library Service Board of Directors and was a member of the Perry County Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ralston was an active member in his community as well as an outstanding citizen. He loved his family, friends, and Uniontown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Fernando La Rosa, and sister-in-law Susan Long.

He is survived by his four daughters Sarah Frances Long, Step-daughter Summer Parker, Dudley Long and Natalie Long Killgore; son in law Hunter Killgore; four grandchildren Jack DuBose, Samantha Parker, Coleman Kennedy, and Harrison Killgore; Brother Harry Long Sr.; Sisters Mary Dudley Long, Frances de La Rosa, Rose Scott Long Rothbart (Carl); Nieces and Nephews Harry Jr and Knight Long, Charles and Katherine Rothbart. Former wife and friend Rita McHugh.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the POW/MIA (Prisoners of War/Missing in Action) Foundation or to the First Uniontown Presbyterian Church.

Acknowledgements may be sent to P.O. Box 506, Uniontown, AL 36786.