Rep. Burgess Owens led the House of Representatives in a moment of silence mourning the tragic loss of a fire captain and his family in a flash flood.
“I rise today to honor a beloved Utah family whose lives were lost this past week by a flash flood in Wayne County,” Owens said Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C. “The Longs are among the very best Utah has to offer. Utah mourns together.”
Capt. Spencer Long worked 17 years for the Provo Fire and Rescue, attaining rank of captain two years ago. Floods in Wayne County also claimed the lives of his wife, Katrina, as well as their three sons Reid, Thayne and Gage.
The bodies were found July 17.
Lydia Vernon, Katrina Long’s 23-year-old daughter from a previous marriage who was living in Kentucky, was not on the camping trip.
“Words will never be able to adequately express the profound loss that Lydia has experienced,” Owens said.
“To many, the thought of continuing without them is unimaginable. Yet we hold fast to Heavenly Fathers’ promise that ‘The Lord is near unto them that are of a broken heart.’ Today, we pray that His presence will be especially near to Lydia and to all who mourn.”
Here is a video of Owens’ remarks:
Katrina Gubler Long was known as a fierce businesswoman, gardener, outdoorswoman and hockey mom, family members said. Friends said she built her life around caring for others while making family her top priority.
