CLEMMONS - Mr. Gerald "Jerry" Harold Long, 82, of Clemmons passed away at home Wednesday, November 3, 2010 after a brief illness. Jerry was born in Staten Island, NY on June 26, 1928 to Elizabeth and Harold Long. Surviving is his beloved wife of 56 years, Marieanne M. Long and their six children, Maryann Payne, (husband Gerry, grandchildren Sarah and Stacy and great grandchild Aislyn), Barbarann Hubble (husband Ron, grandchildren Stephanie, Caroline and David), Michael Long (wife Mary, grandchildren Jenny, Alison, Andrew and Jeffrey), Ken Long (wife Rita, grandchildren Jillian and Nicholas), Karen Davis (husband Paul, grandchildren Halle and Ella) and Kevin Long (grandchildren Mack, Madeline and Charlotte). Jerry served in the U.S. Army before graduating from Adelphi University in NY. He married Marieanne M. Brauner on August 21, 1954. In June 1973, they relocated with their six children from Westport, Connecticut to Winston-Salem. After serving in many executive roles at various R.J. Reynolds subsidiaries, he retired as Chairman and CEO of Reynolds Tobacco Company in 1989. He served as a Forsyth County Commissioner for eight years and served on various boards of trustees, including the YMCA, Forsyth Medical Center, Chamber of Commerce, Wake Forest, NC State and Pfeifer College. He was a proud and loyal member of the Clemmons Rotary. He and his family have owned and operated L.A. Reynolds Garden Showcase since 1991. Jerry was a proud servant of the Catholic Church, including Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. He was a leader in the various building projects at Holy Family. The family will receive friends on Friday November 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 6, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, with The Most Rev. William G. Curlin officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Forsyth Medical Center Foundation, 3333 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, Hospice of Winston-Salem, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel is assisting the family. The family wishes to thank Father Michael Buttner and Father Brian Cook for all their prayers and compassion, Dr. Betsy English, Eugenia and Bethany for the compassionate care they provided, and Hospice of Winston-Salem. And thanks to all those at church and in the community who offered countless prayers.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal from November 4 to November 5, 2010