/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/1027/149340/kga4okl1vjqlyk9ztx8u.jpg)
Obituary For Albert Long, Jr.
Albert Anderson Long, Jr. went home to be with Jesus on October 28, 2020 at the age of 88.
Albert was born to Albert Anderson Long, Sr. and Ruth Parlier Long on November 13th,1931 in Durham, NC.
He met his wife Jacqueline Van Hook in 1955 at UNC-Chapel Hill. They were married on September 1, 1956 and had three boys, Albert Kirkland Long, Michael Bradshaw Long and Daniel Calvin Long.
In the early 1950’s, Albert became the only athlete at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to earn four letters in four varsity sports. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1955 and received the Patterson Medal, awarded to the university’s top student athlete. He was in the Air Force ROTC and after college, he served as a First Lieutenant in the US Air Force. After his service, he spent 15 years in the business world as a life insurance executive.
He was a motivational speaker throughout the 1960’s, speaking at sports banquets, school assemblies, civic clubs, high school graduations, and churches. He conducted many pre-game worship services for college teams, NFL, NBA and other professional teams. His involvement in The Fellowship of Christian Athletes was a big part of his life as he was able to use sports to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. In November of 2007, Albert was inducted into the National Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions in Kansas City, Missouri. In November of 2015, he received The Order of The Long Leaf Pine which is the highest honor presented by the governor to outstanding North Carolinians who have a proven record of service to the state.
In the early 1970’s, Albert joined the Teen Crusade team, sharing his passion for Jesus Christ. In a big step of faith, he started Happenings, Inc. in 1973-1998, a non-profit Christian organization. Albert, along with his talented team, would conduct three-day revivals across the country. Even up to the end of his life, Albert was sharing the hope he has in Christ with those around him. He did a zoom interview with Point Me to Jesus Ministries about his life just two days before he passed away. He wanted to finish well and remind others to never take life for granted. He clung to Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
He is survived by his wife, Jackie of 64 years; children, Kirk, Mike (Libby), Danny and Clark Green; grandchildren, Garrett Anderson Long (Morgan) and Caroline Long Attaway (Brantley); and one great-grandchild, Atticus William Long. Albert was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Lucille Long Cranford (September 3, 2020).
A Celebration of the Life and Ministry of Albert Long will take place at: Grey Stone Baptist Church
Durham, NC, Saturday, November 14, 2020, 2:00pm. Doors Open at 1:30pm * Limited Seating * Covid-19 Protocol & Social Distancing Followed * Masks Required. Live Streaming available at: www.greystonechurch.com
Family available to greet guests immediately following the service.
Send flowers to the service of Albert Long, Jr.
Photos & Video
Condolences & Tributes
Add A CondolenceBeautiful service, we feel that loss but celebrate Albert's ascension! Praying for everyone in the Long family
God Bless, The Badger Family
I first met Albert when he spoke at my monogram banquet when I was a freshman in high school. My parents purchased The Long Touch album and I listened to it hundreds of times. Albert and I reconnected in the last 10 years and he was kind enough to make cd's of all of his albums and several of his sermons. He just had a light about him that was so obvious and he could inspire any person or group he spoke too. My sincere condolences to the family but we know that his absence is only temporary until we all meet again on that glorious day.
Jon & Marcia Felton Raleigh, NC
He was a good and faithful friend to us, Caleb had many prayer times with AL. He will be missed. Love and prayers to the family, we cherish that book Albert gave Caleb at a prayer meeting in Chapel Hill. Love to all.
I first met Albert Long when I was in the 10th grade at Durham High School in 1962. Albert invited me to join a local group of Fellowship of Christian Athletes that he was taking to Henderson Harbor, an island in the middle of Lake Ontario. I soon learned that riding on a Chartered bus for 22 straight hours from Durham to Canada was not my idea of fun. My week long stay at the summer camp where many of the finest athletes in the world gathered to talk about Jesus Christ made me instantly forget that long ride. Thanks to Albert, my week at the FCA summer camp changed my life. Albert Long was always filled with the Holy Spirit and truly an endless amount of positive energy. Upon returning from Canada to Durham, I was honored to assist him in forming a weekly FCA group at DHS. The first week had about six attendees. We began by meeting in the DHS gym, then the DHS auditorium, and we grew to having over 100 folks every Thursday morning before classes started. Albert invited me to travel around the South and speak with him, often in churches and schools. We talked with large gatherings of young people who wanted to hear the word of the Lord. Albert changed my life. After not seeing Albert for over 50 years, I recently ran into him at a Durham Chic fil A. We hugged, we laughed, we agreed that THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES. That happens to be the name of a wonderful book written by Albert Long. It was perfect to describe that special day. To meet and to know Albert was to admire and love him. I know that our Lord needed a special angel and He took Albert home. He will be missed by so many. My best to all who knew Albert. Ralph Grissom
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
