PROVO, Utah — A procession was held for the family of five who were killed in flash floods while camping and canyoneering in southern Utah last week.
The procession began at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Office of the Medical Examiner in Taylorsville, and then made its way down Interstate 15 to a Spanish Fork funeral home.
Firefighters honored the family by standing on I-15 overpasses.
Kellie Sheffield and her children followed the procession, and on this somber day, they remembered the impact the family had on their lives and how they touched so many in the area.
“All they did for our community, the Provo Fire Department. Katrina had a business. She was helpful in their city, in town. She was great," said Sheffield. “I only met Lydia, maybe once or twice; she probably doesn’t remember me, but we love them. We hope the best for her; we know she’s like her mom. She’ll be good.”
Provo Fire Chief shares memories of Capt. Spencer Long in video below:
A funeral for the entire family has tentatively been set for Wednesday, July 29, although details have yet to be released.
Provo Fire Captain Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina, and three of their children, Thayne, Gage and Reid, died after being swept away by flash floods near the Sunglow Campground in Wayne County.
Friends remember the life and legacy of mom killed in Wayne County flash flood:
The family's lone surviving member, Lydia Vernon, has returned home to Mona, where she was greeted earlier this week by a solemn welcome from neighbors and the entire community.
"Today our city is in mourning," said Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins. "We join people across Utah in expressing our deepest condolences following the loss of Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long, his wife and their three sons."
Long served with the Provo Fire Department for 17 years and was most recently assigned to the Provo Airport.
"His extraordinary courage, compassion, and dedication earned the respect of his fellow firefighters and everyone who had the privilege of serving alongside him," said Judkins. "He protected not only our community, but communities across the nation, answering the call to fight wildfires wherever he was needed."
Although many were looking to create a memorial for Long and his family at the airport where he worked, Judkins shared how it is not a practical location, so a public memorial has now been set up in front of the fountain at Provo City Hall.
Public memorial created in Provo for family killed in flash flooding:
On Wednesday, Utah Congressman Burgess Owens held a moment of silence on the floor of the House for the family. "The Longs are among the very best Utah has to offer," Owens stated. "Utah mourns together. Words will never be able to adequately express the profound loss that Lydia has experienced."
Owens' full statement and the moment of silence can be viewed below.
