Community gathers to honor Provo fire captain and his family
Hundreds of mourners filled a chapel in Orem this week to remember Provo Fire Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina and their three sons — Reid, Thayne and Gage — who died after a flash flood struck a Wayne County campground on July 17. The deaths have left a visible void across Provo’s fire department, youth sports circles and wider community networks.
The funeral services drew colleagues from area fire departments, neighbors, friends and families who knew the Longs through school, church and recreation. The loss has been described repeatedly as sudden and devastating, with many in attendance pointing to the Long family’s frequent presence in community life.
Remembrances from teammates and fellow firefighters
Speakers recalled the Longs’ warmth, leadership and steady presence. Several people who spoke at the service highlighted the family’s involvement in local youth sports; Gage, the youngest son, had been active on the ice and practiced with other local children just days before the flood.
- Megan Ostler, who learned of the victims while traveling with her children, said the Longs had been woven into the area hockey community.
- Dax Ostler described Gage as a talented goalie and said the news of his death was unexpectedly painful.
- Tim Inmen, a firefighter with the Long Beach Fire Department and a former partner of Spencer’s in Provo, traveled to Utah to pay respects and reflected on the bond among firefighters.
“The fire service is a very small circle… He just took me under his wing and talking, 'There's no need to stress about this,'” said Tim Inmen, remembering his colleague’s calming influence.
Those who knew the Long children spoke of their energy and leadership. Classmates described Thayne as confident and a “tone-setter” who would speak up so others were heard. Friends emphasized that the family often showed up for others in practical ways — a trait many at the service said they wanted to honor in return.
Local impact and the wider response
Provo’s fire department has lost not only an experienced captain but an active member of the community. Long’s death, and that of his family, prompted colleagues from departments beyond Utah to come to the services, illustrating the tight-knit nature of the profession.
The outpouring from community members, youth teammates and fellow first responders underscores two concurrent truths: the scale of grief in families and co-workers closest to the Longs, and the readiness of the community to rally in support.
| Victim | Relation |
|---|---|
| Spencer Long | Provo Fire Captain |
| Katrina Long | Wife |
| Reid, Thayne, Gage | Sons |
Authorities have described the incident as a flash flood at a Wayne County campground on July 17. Investigations into the specifics of the flood and any ongoing recovery or mitigation efforts are being handled by county and state agencies; mourners at the service focused on personal tributes and remembrance.
The funerals also drew attention from residents who said the Long family had been visible in everyday community life — coaching, attending events and contributing to civic and neighborhood activities. For many in attendance, acknowledging that presence was central to the service: remembering ordinary kindnesses alongside professional valor.
In the days after the flood, friends and community members organized to support grieving neighbors and to hold memorial events. Those who spoke at the service urged residents to keep the Longs’ friends and extended family in their thoughts, and to consider acts of service in their memory.
The loss of the Long family is a reminder of both the power of sudden natural disasters in rural parts of Utah and of the ways communities in Provo and beyond come together to mourn and to support one another in the aftermath.
