Thomas Long

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thomas Sparrow Long, Jr., (Tom) 70, died at home on Dec. 1, 2018, after an extended battle with cancer. He was born in Boston, Mass., to Dr. Thomas Sparrow Long, Sr. and wife, Betty (Knox) and grew up on Lookout Mountain, Tenn. He graduated from Chattanooga High School, Middle Tennessee State University (BS) where he served as President of the Theta Iota Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (MPA). He married Jean Burkett in 1985 and they had one son, Thomas Sparrow Long IV (Holliston, Mass.) Tom's interests and experiences were many and varied. He drove a Formula race car, played briefly on the Professional Golf Tour and fished for billfish around the world. He loved boating, scuba diving, shooting and hunting and was a Hunter Education instructor for the State of Florida. He was a Level II Shooting Instructor with the National Sporting Clays Association. He enjoyed duck calling, though his wife preferred that he practice outside! He participated in several national duck calling contests and won at least once. He started several small businesses, worked as a licensed Stock Broker for several years and maintained an interest in the stock market. In later life, he became an outdoor writer, providing articles for numerous hunting and fishing magazines. His lifelong hunting experiences provided the foundation for his book, Spent Shells Along the Atlantic. Tom never met a stranger and was always a true friend, being the first to come to someone's aid when needed. Tom served honorably as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces, where he earned the rank of Captain and received various medals for his service. He is survived by his wife, Jean; son, Thomas (Lauren); granddaughter, Hailey Grace; brother, Dr. Martin Knox Long (Hixson, Tenn.); two nephews and one niece. Services in honor of Tom will be held on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, beginning with a visitation at 1 p.m. followed by a celebration of Life at 2 p.m. Services will take place at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. You may leave words of comfort and sympathy at www.HGRiversideFuneralHome.com. HARDAGE-GIDDENS, RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK and FUNERAL HOME, 7242 Normandy Boulevard is serving the family.