Sumner Darron Long

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fire Chief Emeritus Sumner Darron Long, 72, of Damascus, MD, who experienced a sudden cardiac event on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at home. He was the best friend, loving partner, and husband to Terri Long for over 30 years.

Born on July 7, 1949 in Frederick County, MD. He was the son of the late Irvin Leroy Long and the late Betty Sawyers Burdette.

Darron grew up in Damascus, MD, graduated from Damascus High School in 1967, attended Frederick Community College, MFRI, MIEMSS, and the MCFRS Training Academy. He received an Honorable Discharge for his service in the Army USAR TC, he earned a National Defense Service Medal, Expert Badge (M-16 Rifle). Darron served with dedication and pride as a Volunteer in the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and the State of Maryland for over 53 years. He retired as the Volunteer Fire Chief of Damascus after serving in that position for over 36 years. He worked as the Lead Painter at the Damascus Motor Company for 41 years. He was a Member of Montgomery United Methodist Church, a Life Member of the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, Past Secretary of the Maryland Fire Chief's Association, Member of the Maryland State Fireman's Association, Member of the VCAF Committee for the MSFA for the MCFRS, a member of the Damascus American Legion, President of the Heart of MD "T's", Over 50-year member of the AACA, MTFCI, Sugarloaf Mountain Region AACA, and Member of the Nation's Capital Model T Ford Club.

He is survived by a loving family; loving wife Terri, daughter Kim (Long) and husband Rusty Roepke, and their daughter Lauren Paylor, Karen Long and family, and Katherine Stefanowicz and family. Stepmother Ruth Brown and her husband Ken and their families. In-laws,Tom Gartner, Sr. and Joyce of Mount Airy, MD and their families, Brother-in law,Tom Gartner, Jr. and Deb and their families. Uncle Stewart Graf of Hampstead, MD, cousin Jeff Graf and wife Jan and their families, Cousin Dave Graf and wife Dawn, and their families. Cousin Mary Kay Dennis and Robert Earl Sawyers of Swansboro, NC and their families. Stepbrothers Donnie Burdette and wife Jeanette of Frederick, MD and their family, and Tom Burdette and wife Wendy of Clifton, VA and their family. He was pre-deceased by both parents Irvin Leroy Long, Betty Sawyers Burdette, Half sister, Jodi Merritt. Uncle Sumner Sawyers, Uncle Kyle Sawyers, Aunt Carolyn Sue Sawyers, and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 2pm to 6pm with a Fire Department Memorial Service from 6pm-7pm at the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, Inc Damascus Activity Center located at 10211 Lewis Drive, Damascus, MD 20872. A Fire Department Final Call Home Funeral will be held in his honor for his lifetime of dedicated service as a Volunteer at 11:00am on Thursday, July 7th, 2022 at the Damascus Activity Center. Interment will follow in the Montgomery United Methodist Church MC Cemetery located at the intersection of Ridge Road and Kemptown Road, Damascus, MD 20872.

Repast to follow at the Damascus Activity Center 10211 Lewis Drive, Damascus, MD 20872. This reception will serve as a Celebration of a Great Life. We can't think of a better birthday present for him than to have all his fire and rescue brothers and sisters, friends, family, residents, and elected officials he worked with to come together to honor and remember him.

Memorial contributions may be made in Darron's honor to be allocated for the "Restoration of the Antique Fire Pumper" to the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Treasurer Tiffany Newman, 26334 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD, 20872. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Molesworth Williams Funeral Home, the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., the MCFRS, MCVFRS, MCVFRA, MFCA, and the MSFA and his family.

Online condolences may be shared with his family on our website at www.molesworthwilliams.com

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