John Long Obituary

John Long PAWLEY'S ISLAND, SC - John Wesley Long, age 79, died July 9, 2024 at MUSC, surrounded by his family. John was born May 1, 1945 in Andrews, SC, the son of the late Elsie Bryant and John Wesley Long, Sr. Sports were a large part of John's life. He lettered in baseball and basketball while attending Andrews High School, where he graduated in 1963. John earned a Bachelor's degree from Newberry College, where he graduated in 1967. While attending Newberry College, he pitched for an intramural baseball league. A lifetime tennis player, John ranked third in his age group in 1998 USTA South Carolina singles. John served in the United States Army at Ft. Bliss, TX, from August 1967 until June 1969. In 1969, he became a bank examiner for the State of South Carolina. He then worked as a bank manager at Andrews Bank and Trust, in Andrews, SC, for more than two decades before joining Edward Jones as a financial advisor in Pawleys Island, SC. John retired from Edward Jones in August 2014. John was an avid bridge player, having taken up the game in the 1960s. In recent years, he played duplicate bridge several times a week as part of the Pawleys Island Bridge Club. He achieved Silver Life Master from the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). John was an active member of the Pawleys Island the Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones Award. John was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Long Collins. In addition to Bess Clarkson Long, his wife of 24 years, he is survived by his children, Jennifer Wood (Chuck), and Spencer Long (Kristen), of Georgetown, and Melissa Cahill, of Murrells Inlet, SC; grandchildren, Jessica and Cameron Perkins, Jackson and Bevin Long, and Bradley and Ella Cahill; and great-granddaughter, Layla Perkins; nieces, Susan Black (Charlie) of Alabama and Teri Byjeck (John) of Tennessee. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 20, 2024, at St. Paul's Waccamaw Church in Pawleys Island. Following the service the family will receive friends at Quigleys Next Door, "QND" at 257 Willbrook Blvd. Pawleys Island SC. Memorial may be made to Pawleys Island Lions Club, P.O. Box 1530, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 or Newberry College Athletic Club, 2100 College Street Newberry, SC 29108, attention to the Athletic Club. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.