Ralph Lee "Ott" Long, 76

September 19, 2009

JUNE 25, 1933-SEPT. 14, 2009

Ralph Lee "Ott" Long, 76, of Hagerstown, Md., passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at the Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown.

Born Sunday, June 25, 1933, in Hagerstown, he was the son of the late George C. Long Sr. and the late Frances G. Turner Long.

Ott was a 1951 graduate of Hagerstown High School. He was a veteran of the Korean war, serving in the 101st Airborne. He was employed at The Herald-Mail newspaper, retiring after 23 years, and later retired from MCI.

He was a Silver Member of the University of Maryland Terrapin Club, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Eagles Club Inc. of Waynesboro, a member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 378 and the Dixon Troxell Post 211 American Legion. Ott was a longtime member of the Morris Frock Post 42 American Legion and the Beaver Creek Country Club.

Ott was an all-around athlete at Hagerstown High School, under the late Coach Mel Henry. He played Legion baseball, coached by Paul "Ears" McNeal. He was a star basketball player for the Hub City Basketball League and played semi-pro baseball for the Sharpsburg Bluebirds. He also played semi-pro baseball for the Hagerstown South End AC under Vic Barnhart, and semi-pro football for the Hagerstown Marketeers.

He was an outstanding and dedicated referee for the IABBO for 31 years, refereeing both high school and college basketball. He also umpired baseball locally for several years. He was an avid University of Maryland Terrapins sports fan and a Baltimore Orioles fan. Ott enjoyed playing golf.

He is survived by two daughters, Kathy Henneberger of Boonsboro, Md., and Lynley Masser of Smithsburg, Md.; one sister, Letty Jane Kendall of Hagerstown, Md.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Donna Mae Long, and brothers, Howard "Buddy" Long and George C. Long Jr., and one granddaughter.

Private services were held with the family.

Donations in his memory can be made to B.P.O. Elks Lodge 378 Youth Endowment Fund, 11063 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742, to be used in sports-related activities for underprivileged youth.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown, Md.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com.

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