George Frederick Long

Mr. George Frederick "Fred" Long, 75, of Greenville, passed away Saturday evening, February 19, 2011, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. He was born January 1, 1936, in Guilford County, son of the late Robert Sumpter and Anne Graham Long. Mr. Long was educated in the High Point city schools and graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh with a degree in mechanical engineering. Following graduation, he was employed in the Naval Engineering Experiment Station in Annapolis, MD, where he worked on the Polaris project among other assignments. He left Annapolis, MD, to accept employment with MAC Panel Company in High Point. After several years at MAC Panel, he moved to Bristol, TN, to work with Univac Corporation. He later left Univac to join Burroughs-Wellcome Pharmaceuticals in Greenville, where he remained until his retirement. He was the plant engineer and was responsible for the design and function of machinery that manufactured and packaged various pharmaceuticals, from pills and capsules to sterile solutions. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, boating, and trap and skeet shooting. He participated in the Unicorn Club for Burroughs-Wellcome retirees, keeping up with friends and co-workers. He was very active in the Pitt Golden K Kiwanis Club, and served as secretary for many years. He gave back to his community, volunteering with the American Red Cross and assisting with income tax preparation for the AARP. He spent much time tutoring school children who were having difficulty with mathematics. He was a devoted son, brother, and uncle, and one who had a profound and lasting effect in the lives of many friends and acquaintances. He is survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia and Richard B. "Dick" Vaughan, III of Ararat and Margaret and John "Jack" Stout of Southport; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Long of Catawba; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Long was preceded in death by a brother, Lonnie M. Long. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 26, 2011, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with Dr. Roger B. Gilbert officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 PM at Floral Garden Memorial Park in High Point. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017; American Red Cross, Surry County Chapter, 844 Westlake Drive, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or The Salvation Army, 651 South South Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030.