Memorial Service: 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 17, 2017
Location: Grace United Methodist Church
Edryn Kinzer Long, 97, beloved husband of the late Margaret Nash Long for 61 years, died on June 7, 2017. This loving, gentle, selfless, faithful, kind and good man will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Growing up in Newport News he enjoyed spending time with friends on the James River. As an excellent woodworker he built several sailboats during his lifetime, selling his 21 foot boat to help finance his college education. Later in life family and friends spent afternoons sailing with him on the James and Pamunkey Rivers in another sailboat which he made.
A graduate of Newport News High School (1937), he completed five years at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Apprentice School and received a Trade School Certificate in Machinery Drafting (1943). In 1949 he received a B.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering with Honors from V. P. I. (VA Tech). For 33 years he was employed in the Welding Engineering Department of NNS & DD Co., retiring in 1981 as a Senior Welding Engineer. He was held in very high regard by his co-workers because of his extensive knowledge and his ability to solve complex welding problems. His easy-going personality also earned him the nickname “Easy Ed.”
Ed was a charter member and past president of the Warwick Lions Club, a member of The American Welding Society, the New Kent Memorial Association and a long-time, faithful member of Grace United Methodist Church.
Edryn will be remembered for his love and devotion to family and friends, his integrity and ingenuity, his love of music, his love of birds, and his humble, gentle Christian spirit. The way he lived his life and the commitment he showed to his family and faith was remarkable and serve as an example to be followed. We have no doubt that Christ was waiting for him with open arms saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)
He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Page and Lamar Williams of Newport News, Revs. Sara and David Manner of Richmond, and Susan and Wayne Brendle of Yorktown; a granddaughter, Dana Steiner and husband Bill; three grandsons, Ryan and wife Emily, Daniel Manner and wife Danielle, Joel Manner and wife Christi; a step-granddaughter, Lisa Fant and husband Gene; great grandchildren, Delaney and Lila Manner, Ian Williams, Abigail Steiner, Landon Manner; and twin step-great grandchildren, Ethan and Emily Fant.
The family wishes to thank his primary caregiver for ten years, O’Landa Mullins (LPN), and caregivers, Beth Karnes and Peggy Gunn. These women gave “Mr. Long” compassionate love and faithful care.
A memorial service led by Pastors Bert Cloud, Gina Anderson-Cloud, and Hank Teague will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Grace United Methodist Church followed by a reception. A private interment will be held in Peninsula Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Grace United Methodist Church, 1209 Country Club Road, Newport News 23606 or Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church, 38 Hoopes Road, Newport News 23602. Arrangements are by Weymouth Funeral Home.