Lorman &8212; The floor of the gym at Alcorn State University was so full of family members, faculty, local and state political figures and students, that some had to stand or sit in the bleachers at Friday&8217;s funeral of President Clinton Bristow Jr.

But the crowd wasn&8217;t there to mourn. They came to celebrate life.

Bristow&8217;s life partner Lezli Baskerville quoted a phrase of Martin Luther King Jr., and said president Bristow&8217;s life was an unfinished symphony.

&8220;Let us now carry on and finish the symphony that Dr. Bristow left for us,&8221; Baskerville said.

Bristow, 57, was found dead on the campus track last Saturday. He died of an apparent heart attack.

Baskerville gave one of many tributes to Bristow at the service on the ASU campus.

&8220;If you really knew of Dr. Bristow, you knew of his love for Alcorn State University and its students,&8221; Interim President Malvin Williams said. &8220;He was always on mission to improve and expand the university, and he has left us to continue that mission.&8221;

No one has ever been a greater advocate for his institution, Mississippi Commissioner of Higher Education Thomas C. Meredith said.

&8220;The way he talked to the students, I couldn&8217;t help but think that he was really the father of all his students,&8221; Meredith said.

Training tomorrow&8217;s leaders was and is a goal at Alcorn, and leadership was second nature for Bristow, Jackson State University President Ronald Mason Jr. said.

&8220;Some people have to work hard to become leaders,&8221; Mason said. &8220;Dr. Clint Bristow was a natural-born leader.&8221;

Bristow&8217;s daughter, Maya, said her father always celebrated every moment they shared.

&8220;One of the last conversations I had with him was on the phone. He told me to concentrate on my education and degree,&8221; Bristow said. &8220;After every conversation he would always say, &8216;I love you,&8217; and I would always answer &8216;I love you too.&8217;&8221;

&8220;So I will say to him now as he leaves us, &8216;Daddy I love you too,&8217;&8221; Bristow said.