STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University mourns the passing of distinguished alumnus and philanthropist Dr. Joe R. Long, who died Wednesday, Oct. 7, at age 96. His lifelong commitment to education and service leaves an enduring legacy at his alma mater and across Texas.
A 1949 graduate of what was then John Tarleton Agricultural College, Long credited the university with helping lay the foundation for his success. From modest beginnings in rural Texas, he became a prominent attorney, entrepreneur and banking pioneer before dedicating much of his life to philanthropy.
“Kindall and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Joe Long,” said Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley. “A proud alumnus and devoted supporter of Tarleton State, Dr. Long understood firsthand the transformational power of higher education. His generosity and unwavering commitment have created opportunities that have and will continue to transform lives for generations to come. We lost a remarkable Texan, but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and those who will benefit from his vision and generosity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
“To honor his extraordinary achievements and enduring impact, we are proud to establish the Dr. Joe Long Philanthropy of the Year Award, which will be presented annually at our gala celebration,” said Dr. Hurley. “Through this recognition, we will celebrate those who share his incredible spirit of giving and commitment to student success. Dr. Long’s legacy will forever be part of Tarleton State’s story and will inspire future generations to follow in his footsteps of service, opportunity and philanthropy.”
Among his most significant contributions to Tarleton State was a historic $12.5 million commitment in November 2024 to support the establishment of the university’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (applicant status — seeking accreditation). The gift reflected his experience growing up in a rural community with limited healthcare access and his desire to help address physician shortages in underserved areas.
“I grew up in a small rural Texas community,” Long said in 2024. “We did not have ready access to healthcare. Many today across the state’s rural sectors endure a similar struggle.”
His commitment to creating opportunities extended well beyond healthcare. Together with his late wife, Dr. Teresa Lozano Long, he championed scholarships, academic programs, research and initiatives designed to help students overcome barriers to higher education.
In 2021, the couple made a $2 million gift supporting educational opportunities for underrepresented students. Their generosity was recognized through the naming of the Lozano Long Division of Global, Community and First-gen Initiatives, honoring their shared dedication to student success and educational access.
Since the early 2000s, the Longs also supported endowed scholarships, faculty positions, study abroad experiences and research opportunities. Their philanthropy has provided scholarship assistance to more than 70 Tarleton State students annually, extending the reach of their generosity to generations of Texans.
“As a former recipient of their endowed scholarship during my undergraduate journey at Tarleton State, I’ve experienced firsthand Dr. Long’s extraordinary generosity, belief in our students, and the transformative power of higher education,” said Dr. Credence Baker, Vice President for University Strategy and Chief of Staff. “He recognized the potential in every student and understood that investing in their future could change lives for generations to come. Thousands of Texans have and will continue to benefit from his vision and generosity. He will be deeply missed and his legacy will forever be part of the Tarleton State story.”
Long enrolled at John Tarleton Agricultural College in 1947 and earned his certificate in 1949. He continued at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a bachelor’s degree in government in 1951.
Following military service during the Korean War, Long taught high school in Alice, Texas, where he met Teresa Lozano. He later returned to UT Austin, earning his law degree in 1958.
He later practiced banking, insurance and securities law, helped organize two Austin banks and consolidated several financial institutions under First State Bank, serving as chairman and CEO until 1998.
Tarleton State awarded Joe and Teresa honorary doctorates of humane letters in 2012. In 2022, Long received the university’s Legacy Award for Integrity, recognizing his service and commitment to its core values.
“Joe always credited Tarleton State with laying the foundation for his success and educational journey,” said his nephew, Mitch Long. “He would be incredibly pleased to have the philanthropy award named in his honor because he believed so strongly in encouraging others to give. Whenever he was recognized for his charitable contributions, he would often tell the audience, with a touch of humor, that he had done his part and that it was now their turn. He understood that great things are accomplished through the generosity of others.”
Although his accomplishments reached far beyond Stephenville, Long maintained a deep connection to the university where his educational journey began. His influence will endure through the students supported by his generosity and the future physicians who will advance his vision for better rural healthcare.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 28,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 127 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real-world learning and address regional, state and national needs.