H.C.R. No. 191
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the
passing of educator William S. Long of Hopkins County on April 6,
2009, at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, The son of Samuel and Edith Long, "Pete" Long was
born in Addran on January 25, 1913, and was a lifelong Hopkins
County resident; after graduating from Sulphur Springs High School,
he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from East Texas State
Teachers College in Commerce and began his career as the only
instructor at a school in Macedonia; on June 1, 1935, he married the
former Evelyn "Eva" Ruth Chapman, a fellow educator, and they later
became the parents of four children; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Long taught in Addran and Birthright and was
instrumental in the consolidation of their schools in the North
Hopkins Independent School District in the early 1940s; in
addition, he taught aviation electronics as a civilian instructor
at Sheppard Field during World War II; he served North Hopkins ISD
as a teacher, coach, and principal before becoming superintendent,
a position he held for 35 years; to the faculty and staff, he and his
wife were "Mr. Pete" and "Miss Ruth", and the couple fostered a
family atmosphere, organizing monthly restaurant outings and
hosting Christmas parties at their home; and
WHEREAS, A caring mentor and exemplary role model, Mr. Long
encouraged participation in athletics, agriculture, and other
activities, even chauffeuring students to basketball games and to
livestock shows as far away as Houston; he won the lasting respect
and admiration of his students, who continued to pay visits to the
Longs at their home after they had retired; their son, Tommy, became
district superintendent in 1988; and
WHEREAS, In his retirement, Pete Long remained an
enthusiastic fan of the North Hopkins Panthers and supported them
with regular attendance at ball games; he was also a farmer and
cattle rancher, and he and Mrs. Long enjoyed traveling together
with friends and family until her death in 1999; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated professional held lifetime
memberships in the Parent-Teacher Association, the Texas State
Teachers Association, the Texas Retired Teachers Association, and
the Texas Association of School Administrators, and he served on
the boards of the Hopkins County Civic Center and the Region VIII
Service Center; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Long was also an active member of his community,
serving as chair of Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Crime Stoppers
and as a charter member of the local chapter of Golden K Kiwanis;
among other civic contributions, he participated in the Rural Urban
Organization, which named him Outstanding Citizen in 1986; his
numerous other accolades included recognition as an Outstanding
Older Texan by Governor Bill Clements; moreover, for nearly 70
years, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Sulphur Springs, and
the Master Mason was also a valued member of North Hopkins Baptist
Church, where he was a deacon and longtime Sunday school teacher;
and
WHEREAS, Pete Long left a lasting imprint on countless lives
through his commitment to education and to his community, and
memories of this beloved Texan will forever be treasured by all
those who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of William S. Long and extend deepest
sympathy to the members of his family: to his sons, William Long and
his wife, Georgie, Tommy Long and his wife, Carolyn, and Frank Long
and his wife, Juli; to his daughter, Sammie Bedford; to his
grandchildren, Julie, William, Kristin, John, Reid, Ami, and Sam
Long, Shawn Brewer and his wife, Lauri, and Brian Brewer and his
wife, Jeannie; to his great-grandchildren, Cara, Colton, Clay,
Austin, Autumn, Kate, and Emma; to his sister, Margaret Glosup; to
his sisters-in-law, Edna Grant and Agnes Chapman; to his
brother-in-law, Harve Chapman, and his wife, Martha Kate; and to
his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Pete Long.
Homer
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 191 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 30, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 191 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on May 18, 2009.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor