John Carlton Long

John Carlton Long, age 80, of Lagrange, GA passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at WellStar Hospice of Lagrange. John was born in Waynesburg, PA on September 21, 1944 and was the son of the late Willis DeWitt Long and Margaret Byrd Long. At an early age John developed a fascination with and love for radio. His first broadcast as a disc jockey was at WTRP in Lagrange, where he became locally popular because he brought the music of the Beatles and other popular groups to the youth of Lagrange in the 1960’s. His career in radio led him to the positions of both program director and general manager at major market radio stations in the United States. His proudest achievement was co-founding the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame along with Sam Hale, Harley Drew, Paul Evatt, Larry James, Mike Kavanagh, and John Young in 2007 to honor Georgia radio personalities and to preserve the history of Georgia radio. He also established the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Museum which showcases radio memorabilia and is found in Columbus, GA at the Columbus Collective Museums. John was preceded in death by three sons: infant Jay Pitts Long, toddler Matthew Bryan Long, and Brian Nicholas Simpkins, age 19. Survivors include his wife of almost 32 years, Patti Evatt Long, of Lagrange, GA; daughter and son-in-law Meridith and Nathan Scherer, of Titusville, FL, daughter Amber Richey of Marietta, GA, and son Sean Long of Moline, IL; granddaughters Marlo Byrd Scherer of Titusville, FL and Alison Ann Queen of Marietta, GA; grandsons, Micah Richey of Marietta, GA and Matthew Richey of Cypress, TX; great-granddaughter Lilly Ann Landa of Marietta, GA; mother-in-law Rebecca Evatt of Marietta, GA; and sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Douglas Long of Rydal, GA. A memorial service is scheduled at 2:00 on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church in Lagrange, GA. Pastor James Goodlet will officiate. A reception will follow after the service in Fellowship Hall.