Attorney John Thomas “Tom” Long, 71, passed away Jan. 28 at his home in Godfrey.
Long is remembered as one of the most respected Republicans in Illinois, "and probably in the country," according to a longtime friend, attorney Don Weber of Troy.
Weber said that Long also was a personal friend of President Geoge W. Bush, having served as a member of the Bush White House Advance Office.
"In 2005, when President Bush was in Collinsville, Tom called and asked me for some local flavor for the president's speech," Weber said. "I was very happy to hear President Bush in Collinsville utter the words, 'I wish Laura and I had time to visit the world's largest ketchup bottle.' Clearly, Tom was very close to the president."
Long was involved early in the Bush campaign and presidency, including as member of the Presidential Inaugural Commission, and as one of 22 Illinois Republican electors of the Electoral College.
In 1988, while serving as Madison County GOP chair, Long was a delegate to the Republican National Convention. He also hosted President George H.W. Bush at the Madison County Lincoln Day dinner and at a campaign rally in Alton later that year.
According to his obituary, Long earned his bachelor of science degree in business and accounting from Eastern Illinois University, his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law and his CPA from the University of Illinois.
He also served in the U.S. Army.
He was a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Justice and Locke, Purnell, Laney & Neeley, P.C.
He was a tax specialist with Coopers & Lybrand, CPAs.
He served as Madison County Assistant State’s Attorney under both Don Weber and William Haine.
He was chief executive officer and vice chairman vice chairman of Argosy Gaming Company, chairman of the board and principal shareholder of First National Bank of Grant Park and First Community Bank of Godfrey.
Long was licensed to practice law in Illinois and Missouri. He was a partner with Farrell, Heil, Long & St. Peters, P.C., then Farrell and Long, P.C., of counsel with Farrell, Hunter, Hamilton & Julian P.C. and at the time of his passing, of counsel with Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, P.C.
He was a founding member of Sigma Chi Fraternity at Eastern Illinois University, and member of Illinois State Bar Association, Madison County Bar Association, Alton-Wood River Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois CPA Society, Illinois Community Bankers Association, Southern Illinois Employers Association, OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center Board of Directors, and Southwestern Illinois Growth Association.
He was a member of Vaughn Hill Church of Christ.
Long is survived by his wife Robin, his daughters Margaret Long Kohl (Mike Kohl and children Charlotte, Barrett and Louis), Erin Long Mays (Joe Mays and children Marion, Elsie and John) and Emma Long; former wife, Virginia M. Long; brothers, Mike (Suzanne) Long, Dennis (Anne) Long, and Jeff (Diane) Long; sisters, Mary Jo (John) Snyder and Mary Beth (Terry Siefert) Collier; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, brother-in-law, Ron (Cheryl) Barton and sister-in-law, Rhonda (Patrick) Linders.
Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Sunset Hills Cemetery, 50 Fountain Drive, Glen Carbon, with full military honors.
Visitation and memorial service will follow at the Vaughn Hill Church of Christ, 662 South Bellwood Dr., East Alton, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and memorial service beginning at 3 p.m. Gent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jackie Long Foundation, c/o Dennis and Anne Long, 312 Indian Hills Court, Rantoul, Illinois 61866.
Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com