BURLINGTON — Jerry Alexander Long passed away at home, surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 4. A native of Burlington, Jerry was born on November 3, 1936. He was predeceased by his parents, Nathan Alexander Long and Lyda Lee Long Miller (Glenn), his sister Patricia Long Moser (Buell), his twin brother Dr. Eugene Monroe Long (Gray, Deborah) and a grandson Stephen Alexander Flournoy.
Survivors include his wife Nancy Thompson Long of over 64 years, his brother Benjamin Alan Long (Nancy) of Raleigh, his two daughters Leslie Long Phillips of Burlington and Julie Long Flournoy (Stephen) of Raleigh, his son Jerry Alexander Long Jr. (Beth) of Fort Worth, Texas and 3 grandchildren, Lauren Ashley Phillips of Gibsonville, Lily Gray Flournoy of Raleigh and Ava Elizabeth Long of Fort Worth, Texas and 1 great grandchild, Riley Elizabeth Watson of Gibsonville. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was a graduate of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He was a longtime supporter of the Educational Foundation and a passionate season ticket holder of UNC Tarheel basketball and football. While at UNC, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves to complete his military obligation. After college, he joined the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. His career spanned 42 years, where he achieved numerous awards. He obtained a Chartered Life Underwriter designation and qualified as a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable for over 30 years. He also served as President of the Burlington Life Underwriters Association.
Jerry was actively involved in the local community. In 1975, he was appointed to the advisory board of the local North Carolina National Bank and continued to serve when it became NationsBank and later Bank of America. He became President of the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Burlington Redevelopment Commission and President of the American Cancer Society in Alamance County. He received the Distinguished Service, Young Man of the Year Award from the Burlington Jaycees. He also served as President of the Alamance Country Club.
He was a lifelong member of Front Street United Methodist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Stewards, Finance Chairman and headed the annual giving campaign. He was also a member of the church building committee. The church was an important part of his and his family’s lives, and they cherished the blessings each received as devoted members of the congregation.
He considered his family his greatest joy in life. The couple loved to travel, including to many foreign countries with friends and also loved spending time at the vacation home at Kiawah Island where the family enjoyed many memories over 30 years.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Front Street United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Front Street United Methodist Church or to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215.
