Mr. EDGAR GERALD LONG

FORT WORTH -- Edgar Gerald Long, a good-hearted and loving man who was good to everyone he met, died Saturday evening, Jan. 25, 2014. He was 86 years old. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Central Christian Church, 3205 Hamilton Ave. Family and friends will gather in the church's Fellowship Hall immediately after the service. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth or Central Christian Church in Fort Worth, in his memory, is suggested. Born in Corsicana on Jan. 2, 1928, Gerald was the son of Frank and Lera Long. In 1941 the family moved to Birdville, where he graduated from Birdville High School in 1945. On Oct. 15, 1949, he married Laura Ann Ivy. They were married for 49 years until she died in 1998, together raising two sons, Jere and Mark. Gerald dearly loved his family and kept up with even distant members until his death. He was especially devoted to his sons and their wives, and his grandchildren. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 63 years, a member of the York Rite, the Scottish Rite and Moslah Temple Shrine. Gerald went to work for Convair, which later became Lockheed, staying there for 41 1/2 years before retiring in October 1992. He loved his job and the people he worked with. Those who worked at Lockheed used to joke about it being "just us and 40,000 of our closest friends." For Gerald, that was closer to the truth than anyone might know. He had a few acquaintances, but thousands of friends. When he retired, he went to work taking care of his wife, Laura Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Laura Ann; three brothers; and two sisters. Survivors: In addition to his sons Jere and Mark, Gerald is survived by his daughters-in-law, Joan, Joanne and Genie Long; grandchildren, Christopher, Benjamin, Ethan and Rachel; sister, Wanda Ray Mount; brothers, Albert and Ernest Long; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and their families. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. EDGAR GERALD LONG please visit our Sympathy Store.