A funeral service will be held Wednesday at the UCCU Center in Orem to honor Provo Fire and Rescue Captain Spencer Devan Long, who died July 17, 2026, while adventuring outdoors with his wife and children.
Tragic Loss in the Wilderness
According to an obituary from Walker Funeral Home, Long was 44 years old when he passed away while in the wilderness with his wife, Katrina, his stepson, Reid Andrew Vernon, and his two sons, Thayne Spencer Long and Gage Norman Long. The family was described as being engaged in activities Long loved most at the time of his death.
A Career in Emergency Services
Long maintained a distinguished career in fire and rescue services, serving as a wildland firefighter in both hotshot and smokejumper capacities. While with Provo Fire and Rescue, he rose to the rank of Captain and contributed to several specialized units.
Specialized Rescue Expertise
His professional expertise included membership in the Mountain Rescue Team, the Wildland Team, and the Rapid Extraction Module Support Team. Long also served as a rescue and hazardous materials specialist with Utah Task Force 1 and as a flight medic with Classic Air Medical.
Life and Background
Born September 7, 1981, in Vernal, Utah, Long was the firstborn son of Devan and Wendi Long. He was raised on a cattle ranch and graduated from Uintah High School in 2001. Following his high school graduation, he completed a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina.
Education and Family
Long earned a bachelor’s degree in health and emergency management from Utah Valley University. He married Katrina Gubler on May 21, 2010, and the family was later sealed in the Payson Utah Temple on September 12, 2020.
Service Information
The funeral service for the Long and Vernon family is scheduled for July 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the UCCU Center, located at 800 West University Parkway in Orem, Utah.
