Obituary of Long IV, John Clark

John Clark Long IV met his Lord in Paradise on March 13, 2016 after 9 years with colon cancer, during which he exhibited the strength of faith and gentlemanly grace that were the hallmarks of his life. John was passionate about everything he loved, especially the Lord, his wife Susan, and his children Jennifer, Rebekah, and Clark.  John was a true Biblical scholar and a gifted teacher who strengthened the faith of countless people while teaching Sunday school, leading Bible studies, and being a devoted friend who willingly shared his faith and wisdom.   John’s intellect was combined with a quick, winning wit and he always saw the best in people.  As an attorney, he was revered by his colleagues, judges, and even opposing counsel.  He was committed to the highest ideals of his profession, and was a trusted mentor to younger lawyers.  John graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1981 with a B.S. in Business, and from St. Mary’s Law School with a J.D.  in 1984, where he was a staff member of the St. Mary’s Law Journal.  John was Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, and enjoyed a career in private practice, first in San Antonio and then in Dallas, as Chief of the Civil Division of the Dallas County District Attorney’s office, and as an Assistant District Attorney in Kaufman County.  Although John loved practicing law, his dream jobs might also have included being a lounge singer or a comedian.  John loved being a husband and father, and enthusiastically drove carpool, fixed his daughters’ hair for school, coached sports teams and cooked dinner while Susan was at work.  His children remember him as being always available for them.  He loved Westerns and Broadway musicals, World War II history and Frank Sinatra.  Most of all, he loved his wife, with whom he shared 30 years of devoted, exemplary marriage. John is preceded in death by his father, John Clark Long III. He is survived by his wife, Susan Waskom Long; children Jennifer Carolyn Long, Rebekah Elizabeth Long and John Clark Long V; mother, Ann Long; sisters, Linda Long Mims and Nancy Long; brother, Paul Long; mother-in-law, Shirley Rollins; sister-in-law, Cindy Waskom and Sandy Long; nieces and nephews, Chris Long, Cory Long and wife, Paige, J. Mims and wife, Merideth, Elizabeth Mims, and Margaret Mims. The Longs are grateful to their family, their many friends whom they consider to be family, and the medical staff of Texas Oncology, especially Dr. Katherine Wang. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75205. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Highland Park Presbyterian Church Good Samaritan Fund or a charity of your choice. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.