Mar 19, 2015 3 min read

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Gus Douglass, who served 44 years as West Virginia’s agriculture commissioner – eventually becoming the longest serving state agriculture chief in the nation – died at age 88.

Douglass’ family said he died Thursday after a fall at his home in Mason County.

After winning his first election in 1964, Douglass was a longtime advocate for farmers at both the state and national levels.

Douglass was elected as agriculture commissioner 11 times, serving served six terms between 1965 and 1989, and five more between 1993 and 2013. He was out of the commissioner’s office for four years after he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1988.

He repeatedly testified before Congress on farming issues, and he chaired the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases four times.

“It just always seemed as though there was something more that needed to be accomplished,” Douglass told The Associated Press in a 2011 interview.

During his 2008 re-election campaign, Douglass touted achievements that included establishing meat inspection, food safety and animal health programs. He also pushed for technology and security measures such as a mobile lab able to identify dangerous viruses in hours rather than weeks.

“He was a strong advocate for our state and had great vision for West Virginia’s potential in agriculture. During his 11 terms as commissioner, he transformed the way we do business in the state and advocated for farming issues on the national level,” said West Virginia Treasurer John Perdue, who worked under Douglass at the Department of Agriculture for 16 years.

Perdue said Douglass taught him about government, agriculture, business and life.

“He nurtured me like his own son,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, who served as governor during Douglass’ time in office, said he left a lasting impact.

“As the longest serving commissioner of agriculture in West Virginia and in our country, Gus will always be remembered for his true understanding and appreciation of farming and 4-H and how he encouraged West Virginia youth to get involve with agriculture,” Manchin said in a written statement.

In 2011, Douglass announced that he would not seek re-election the following year.

“I’m afraid I might have worn the voters out,” he joked about his reason for retiring. “After 11 terms, that’s 44 years.”

A legislative audit in 2014 found poor record keeping, questionable reimbursements and other issues with a loan program during Douglass’ tenure. Douglass said he was not personally contacted during or since the audit.

Douglass, who was a farmer, was recruited to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture department as an assistant commissioner by then-Commissioner John T. Johnson in 1957.

The Democrat was the only West Virginian ever elected national president of the Future Farmers of America. He presided over the first FFA conference following World War II.

Douglass also served as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture. He was chairman of the Southern Regional Committee for Food and Agriculture under President Jimmy Carter.