James H. Long

James Harlan Long passed away on March 8, 2018 at St. Catherine’s Providence Hospice Place. Jim was born in Dallas, Texas on March 9th 1941 to Harlan and Ina Long. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Julie Long, his two daughters, Kirsten Krause and her husband Kevin Krause of Waco and Kelley Perkins of Waco; five grandchildren, Kacee, Kendall, Kate, Madeleine and Calvin of Waco & sister Sandra Swanson of Tiburon, California. Jim graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. After college he served in the Peace Corps at Clark AFB near Manila. Soon after he was drafted into the Army. He served in the Army as a platoon guide and then went on to be an executive officer for the USA Met Team RDT&E Support. He managed a research team for development and testing in Dugway, Utah. He married his wife of 48 years in 1970. In 1977 he moved his family from Thiensville, Wisconsin to Waco, Texas where he took the reins as General Manager and CEO of CertainTeeds’s Distribution Group. After 11 successful years he decided to leave and start his own distribution company, Lone Star Marketing, Inc. He retired at age 55 and he and his wife built their dream retirement home on lake LBJ in Horseshoe Bay. He held many elected positions in HSB over the last 20 years. He served as Chairman of the HSB Lifestyle Committee, Chairman of the Airport Committee and Chairman of Long Range Planning Committee. He managed two electoral campaigns for the mayoral races, was consulted regularly with the city management and the LCRA water plant office. He spent his retirement years enjoying his family and making HSB a better place to live. He and his wife spent much of their time together collecting travel and golfing experiences around the world. He was a self-made man in the entrepreneurial world of business. Any challenge he encountered he conquered with one mantra, “No Problem.” A memorial will be held on Friday, March 30th, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 at Quail Point in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. The family would like to thank the Supportive & Palliative Care team and the incredible doctors and nurses of Scott & White Temple Hospital for their care and compassion. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at WHBfamily.com.