Alonzo Harrison Long

Alonzo Harrison Long was born on November 9, 1951 in Plainfield, NJ to Alonzo Long (deceased) and June V. (Chapman) Long.   Alonzo was affectionately known to his family as ‘Junnie’ short for Junior, although technically he was not a junior.  Alonzo was given his grandmother’s maiden name as his middle name as his dad did not have a middle name.  In his later years, ‘Junnie’ was replaced by his favorite new titles, Papa Zo and Papa.   

Alonzo spent most of his young life growing up in Metuchen, NJ.  After his graduation from Metuchen High School in 1969, Alonzo received his bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. (HU, you know!)  You would frequently find him wearing paraphernalia representing his beloved alma mater throughout his entire life.  He followed his dream of becoming an attorney by receiving his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University – Newark, NJ in May 1978. 

After graduating with his J.D. degree, Alonzo started his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, PA.  After several years, Alonzo was recruited to work for the US Department of Justice as an Assistant US Attorney due to his trial experience initially starting in their Roanoke, VA office and later in their Atlanta, GA office.  During his tenure, he was recognized as an outstanding litigator often carrying the highest workload in his division with an equally impressive win rate.  His performance was consistently rated as outstanding in trial arguments, negotiations and legal research and writing.  He was an excellent litigator and his work spoke for itself.  Alonzo worked for the DOJ until his retirement in 2010.   During his professional years, Alonzo was admitted into the Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia State Bar Associations, respectively. 

Upon his retirement, Alonzo was able to enjoy more of his favorite hobbies such as cooking.  It would not be surprising to find him on a grill or using his smoker on his back deck.  He was known for making a mean gumbo and he loved a good steak.  He also could be often found tinkering with a computer as he had a natural gift for technology.  Alonzo also began enjoying rodeos and made it a practice to attend one every year.   

His favorite place to be in the world was on a beach.  One of the favorite memories he wrote about was taking his daughter and only child, Kiabi, to the beach as a little girl.  Before his health curtailed his travel, he was an avid scuba diver with Hawaii being one of his favorite spots to dive.  When you are next on a beach, standing in the sun with your toes in the sand and the waves rolling in, think of Alonzo.  He may be right there with you.

Alonzo is survived by his daughter, Kiabi  (Demetris) Carson; his mother, June V. Long; his wife, Michelle Long; his brothers, Michael E. Long, Kenneth S. Long, and Kevin S. Long; his stepdaughters, Meara Warren and Alexandria Payton; and five grandchildren, Kai Carson, Drew Carson, Maleah Warren Johnson, Caiden Sims, and Nasia Sims and a host of family and friends.