RALEIGH, N.C. – Gov. Beverly Perdue says Jim Long fought tirelessly for consumers over 24 years as North Carolina’s insurance commissioner.

Perdue spoke Thursday at a funeral service for Long at Raleigh’s Hayes Barton Baptist Church. He died Monday at age 68 after collapsing Jan. 21 from what his family said was a hemorrhagic stroke.

Long’s coffin was brought to the service on the back of a fire engine, a symbol of his dual role as state fire marshal.

Long’s successor as insurance commissioner told several hundred mourners that Long was like a father to him. Wayne Goodwin said Long’s life proved that politics can be a noble endeavor.

A second memorial service will be held Friday in Long’s hometown of Burlington.