Amy Jo Long

She came to the University of Texas to complete course work for a Master of Journalism degree (conferred in 1952) and remained to work in the University News and Information Service as a writer, editor, assistant and associate director, and finally as director, a total of 34 years, 1951–1985. Before moving to Austin, she called Fort Worth home.

A 1937 graduate of North Side High School, she attended Texas Wesleyan College (now University) and received a B.A degree in 1941. She edited the student newspapers at both high school and college.

For more than five years (1942–1947) she was a reporter for the Fort Worth Press, with additional duties as assistant to the city editor from time to time. In addition, she served as a local “stringer” for Time, Life and Fortune magazines.

She left the Press to return to Texas Wesleyan as public relations director, journalism instructor and faculty adviser to student publications, duties that she performed 1947–1950.

In connection with her work she was active in the American College Public Relations Association and its successor organization, Council for Support and Advancement of Education (CASE).

Upon retirement from UT she continued going to the campus daily, attending classes as an auditor (no homework assignments, no exams) and pursuing research in the University archives on the history of UT’s relations with the press.

Apart from her work, she served on various committees of her church, University United Methodist, including the administrative board and finance committee. After retirement from UT, she was elected to the board of directors of the University Federal Credit Union, serving from 1985 to 1987. From 1988 to 1991 she edited the quarterly newsletter of the UT Retired Faculty-Staff Association.

Amy Jo Long was born in Decatur, Texas on December 31, 1920, the only child of James Hubert Long (1884-1948) and Ollie McCracken Long (1892-1990).

Survivors include her beloved cousin Teresa Carr of Youngtown, Arizona; Joe Wills of Chico, California; Austin friends Susan Baughman, Mary Gayle Stromberger and husband Ernie; Royce Dixon; Helen Tackett; Martha Boyd; Betty Gibbons, Anita Howard; Clayton Stromberger and family; Chris Stromberger and family; Victor Dixon and Christopher Friske; and Joel Davidson. A special thanks to Shelly Baker at Hospice Austin, who brought joy, comfort and happiness to Amy, every time she stepped through the door.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar Blvd. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth or University United Methodist Church, Austin.