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Pallbearers carry Spencer Long's casket to the hearse during his funeral Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Orem.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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Pallbearers carry a casket to the hearse during a funeral for the Long family members Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Orem.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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Pallbearers carry Spencer Long's casket to the hearse during his funeral Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Orem.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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Pallbearers carry a casket to the hearse during a funeral for the Long family members Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Orem.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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A procession carrying the Long family members leaves Utah Valley University Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Orem.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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Remembered as an adventurous family devoted to serving their community and spending time outdoors, Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina Long, and their sons Reid Vernon, Thayne and Gage Long were memorialized Wednesday.

Hundreds of family members, neighbors, firefighters, hockey teammates and others gathered at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University in Orem for the funeral to pay their respects to the family. Five caskets were laid at the base of a podium, accompanied by photos of each individual and floral wreaths.

Tragedy struck on July 17 when Spencer, Katrina, and their sons were taken away by a flash flood while recreating in Wayne County. They are survived by Katrina’s daughter, Spencer’s stepdaughter, Lydia Vernon. Reid Vernon is also survived by his father, Joshua Vernon, and three brothers, Dean, Seth and Evan Vernon.

Extended family members and close friends shared emotional tributes, and the five members of the Long family were laid to rest Wednesday afternoon at a private graveside ceremony in Mona.

Provo Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Moon said Spencer Long will be remembered as a loving family man and a compassionate and professional firefighter, and a humorous friend who was always up for a good time. “Spencer was always in,” Moon said.

That meant agreeing to sign up for a Ragnar relay without fully understanding what it would entail, or going on vacations with Katrina and other firefighting couples, Moon said. Moon, and Spencer’s brother, Casey Long, both said he always had a Cherry Pepsi and a Snickers bar with him. 

Spencer loved hunting, playing hockey with his boys, and firefighting, Casey added. He said his oldest brother was always the leader of the family.

Samantha Butler, Katrina Long’s business partner at Summit Medical Spa, described her as a driven woman who desired to succeed and bring others with her. She said Katrina started in the spa business to help people, whether they were employees or customers.

When Katrina served on the Mona City Council, Butler said the mayor once fell ill and asked Katrina to step in as acting mayor. She fulfilled the responsibility while also running a business and being a mom to three boys.

Katrina Long’s brother, Travis Gruber, said she “excelled in everything she did,” whether it was being a spa owner, gymnast, or motivator for her younger brother. He said she had a strong faith and a testimony of Jesus Christ and her Heavenly Father.

Reid, a 20-year-old recently returned from a church mission in Columbia, was characterized by his father, Joshua Vernon, as a strong-willed man with wonderful pursuits.

“He was determined to be steadfast and immovable,” Joshua Vernon said.

When Reid returned from his mission, his father said he introduced him over a video call to a family Reid had served during his mission. Joshua said he thanked the family for taking care of his son, and got the following reply: “We did not take care of your son. He took care of us.”

Reid also took care of his five little brothers, and had an “endless supply of energy” to engage with them. Joshua said he knew Reid would continue looking after two of his brothers in the next life.

Thayne, 13, was described by family friend Cole Quarnberg as a mixture of his parents, with the energy and determination of his mother and the quiet, adventurous nature of his dad.

He started his own car-washing business, loved hockey, and was an avid outdoorsman, frequently going fishing or camping with Quarnberg’s son, Quarnberg said. 

One New Year’s Eve, Thayne and a friend ventured off on a camping trip because they wanted to be “the first boys to sleep on Mount Nebo in the new year,” Quarnberg recalled. 

Thayne was also aware of people around him and was there to help, he said.

The family’s bishop, Jeff Walker, remembered Gage, 12, as a curious boy who loved playing hockey and learning about the world around him.

After Gage was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, he frequently visited the school nurse and the two developed a friendship. One day, he brought her a signed hockey puck, assuring her it would be worth something when he became a famous hockey goalie one day, Walker regaled.

Gage was friends with Walker’s son, and would frequently come over for dinner, where he was great company and was able to converse like an adult, Walker recalled.

“There was a lot of spirit packed into his little body,” Walker said.

Each member of the Long family made an impact on their community and will be fondly remembered.