Rudolph "Rudy" Long

Rudolph “Rudy” Long, age 90, of Marion, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 01, 2016, at his residence with his family by his side.  A native of Gaston County, North Carolina, born April 28, 1926, he was the son of the late Fred and Odessa Austin Long.

A proud veteran of the United States Army, United States Navy and the North Carolina National Guard, Rudy enlisted into the United States Navy on June 29, 1943 where he was part of the Seabee's during WWII having served in the South Pacific in Marshall Islands.  Rudy reenlisted in 1948 and was on the USS Newport News and later served in the Korean War on the USS Midway.  In 1955, he then joined the North Carolina National Guard and in 1986 was mandatory retired.

During Rudy’s 39 years and 4 months service, he received the Presidential Citation Award, Atlantic/Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Medal and the Navy Occupation Medal. 

A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Rudy was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Joppa Lodge #401 AF& AM in Old Fort.  He was very active in the McDowell County Senior Games where he received numerous awards.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his former wife of 53 years, Louise Long; four brothers and one sister.

Left to cherish his memories are is loving wife of 17 years, Trula “Trudy” Long; two children, Gary Long and his wife Brenda; and Vicki McKinney and her husband Junior; two step children, Teresa Atkins and Tim Lail; one grandson, Jason McKinney and his wife Lacey; three step grandchildren, Bradley Adkins and his wife Farrah, Stephanie Arrowood and Tiffany Lail; two great grandchildren, Lily and James; three step great grandchildren, Aaliah, Dante’ and Leah.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 04, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at New Manna Baptist Church with Revs. Charles Dicks, Tony Shirley and Richard Anderson (Hospice) officiating.  Interment, with military honors, will follow at McDowell Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the church.

Flowers are acceptable and appreciated.  Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Long’s memory are asked to consider, CarePartners Hospice & Palliative Care – McDowell, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28803 or by visiting www.carepartners.org.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all his family and friends who assisted in fulfilling his wishes to remain at home throughout his illness; Carroll and Johnny Hughes, Glenn Barrier and Jo and Cline Pyatt, Marie and Jerry Ledford; and several special friends.