Jerry Long dies at 82

For those who knew Gerald “Jerry” Long, it was clear that he relished the role of being a “damn Yankee” in North Carolina.

But even more, Long, who died yesterday at age 82, loved Forsyth County — his adopted home of 37 years.

“His death represents the passing of a legend and of an era,” said Dave Plyler, the chairman of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners who served on the board with Long in the 1990s.

“Our business community and the overall community are far, far better because of his contributions,” Plyler said.

Long died from Lewy Body dementia, an umbrella term for two diagnoses related to Parkinson’s disease, according to his son, Mike. He had been ill for several months.

Friends and peers said that Long’s love of the community was an extension of the love he had for his wife of 56 years, Marieanne, and their six children, 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Long was comfortable in all his roles, whether he was running a large company or a small business, or raising money for charities, said Gayle Anderson, the president and chief executive of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.

“Jerry always went above and beyond to do things that would benefit others,” Anderson said.

Long was raised in a blue-collar fishing town near Long Island, N.Y. The family moved here from New York in 1973 as part of a career move with RJR Foods.

Long perhaps was known best in the community for his firm but fair management style during his 19 years with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. He served four years as its chief executive, as well as two years as the chairman of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco USA. He championed Reynolds’ role with

NASCAR through its

Winston Cup sponsorship.

He retired from both posts in July 1988 — one of hundreds of employees who left when F. Ross Johnson took control as part of the formation of RJR Nabisco.

“My dad had people — from factory workers to top executives — tell him they were grateful for his efforts for the company,” Mike Long said. “He stood up for the company, always looking out for the welfare of the employees.”

Not content with retirement, Long was elected in 1998 and 1992 as a county commissioner, first as a Democrat and then after switching back to a Republican.

In that role, Long provided a sometimes controversial pro-business voice on how to direct the community’s economic transition as the work force and industry prowess of some major employers, including Reynolds, began to wane or evaporate.

Local economic and elected officials credit Long with helping to create Winston-Salem Business Inc.

“Jerry Long will be remembered as a visionary leader who cared deeply about Winston-Salem and worked very hard to make it a better place,” Mayor Allen Joines said. Long played a pivotal role in Joines’ decision to run for public office.

“His energy and great insights helped rebuild our economy,” Joines said.

Long put his marketing skills to use as a tireless fundraiser for a wide range of community endeavors, often putting in a major family contribution as seed money. In 1988, he set a then-record for contributions to a commissioner campaign.

Even though Long often was asked to take an upfront role with fundraising, Mike Long said that his father preferred behind-the-scenes assistance “to the point I don’t know if anyone knows of all of his community efforts.”

His family was one of the founding members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons.

Long played a pivotal role in the raising of more than $1 million for the establishment of the West Forsyth Family YMCA in 1993. The YMCA was named after him in December 2009.

“Jerry had a knack for encouraging individuals and companies to contribute to causes he believed whole-heartedly in,” Plyler said. “In a half-joking, half-serious way, he would urge them to do better than their original donation, and most times, they would rise to the challenge.”

In September 1991, he bought a 90 percent ownership stake in L.A. Reynolds Garden Showcase to give himself an entrepreneurial challenge. It became a popular stop for plants and flowers.

Despite the circumstances of his departure from Reynolds, Long kept his ties to Reynolds. Susan Ivey, the top executive at Reynolds American Inc., said that Long was quick to welcome her when she took over in 2004.

“He gave generously of himself to the community, in both a professional and personal capacity, and he will be greatly missed by many,” Ivey said.

rcraver@wsjournal.com

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The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon Road, Clemmons. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family.