Obituary of PJ J.) Long

SPRINGDALE—PJ (Patrick J.) Long died at home peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, June 16, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Lexington County on March 2, 1920 to the late Lee Long and Bessie Williams Long. He was a member of the West Columbia Church of the Nazarene where he served 45 years as Sunday School Secretary. He was a World War II Veteran serving with the US Rangers and the Canadian-American "Devil's Brigade". In 1968 the movie "Devil's Brigade" was made depicting their service. He served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and finally in Norway at wars end. He was a Purple Heart recipient. Yet he rarely talked about his experiences. He was quiet, peaceful, humble, a hard worker and very generous. He was truly one of the Americas "Greatest Generation". Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 18, 2012 at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington. Funeral services will be held at West Columbia Church of the Nazarene located at 350 Wattling Road, West Columbia at Noon on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. Officiating will be Rev. Bill Harmon. Interment will follow in Celestial Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Patrick Long, Bryant Long, Brandon Crowley, Allen Teague, Phil Roland and Buddy Bryant. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Moore and Pat Vella. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sylvia Rucker Long and two sons, Rex Long (Linda) of Cayce and William "Bubba" Long (Renee) of Springdale; grandsons, Patrick Long (Amanda), Bryant Long of Springdale and granddaughter, Robin Donohue and great-granddaughter, Lindsay Donohue both of Tampa, FL; a sister, Dorothy Teague from Davidson, NC. He was preceded in death by five siblings, Vesta Schutte, Rosa Lee Roland, Olive L. Strother, Thomas A. Long and Emmie Crowley. He worked in home construction for years following the war. Later he became involved with the West Columbia Church and was always ready to help with additions, construction, and bible school and even made the large wooden cross for the sanctuary. In the later years being unable to attend church he would watch Sunday morning services on TV. He was kind and so generous. He was loved and will be missed by all who knew him. We will see you soon, PaPa.