Hershey James "Jim" Longenecker

Hershey James "Jim" Longenecker Jim Longenecker, 82, born on Jan. 19, 1928, in Belgian Congo to the late J. Hershey and Minnie H. Longenecker, passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at residence in Charlotte, N.C. Growing up as the son of missionaries, Jim, also known as "Chick," was first taught by his mother, and then attended Central School in Lubondai, attending public school in Richmond, Va., when home on furloughs. He completed high school at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., graduating in 1946. He graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., with a BA in philosophy in 1950. Called of God to become a minister, he attended Columbia Theological Seminary. After an internship in Tifton, Ga., he graduated in 1955 with an M. Div. Jim appreciated a note his father had written three years before his birth, showing how they had planned what to name him, and prayed "that the Lord may guide us as to his future in every way, and that he may be the Lord's very own from the beginning." And so, Jim became a Presbyterian minister. His first pastorate was 1954-1957 in a three-church field in North Carolina, Estatoa Presbyterian Church, Celo, Micaville Presbyterian Church, Micaville, and Newdale Presbyterian Church, Newdale. In 1958, he accepted a call to South Carolina with Cane Creek Presbyterian Church, Union, and Fairforest Presbyterian Church, Jonesville. In 1962, they moved to Virginia where he pastored Bethel Presbyterian Church, Abingdon, Damascus Presbyterian Church, Damascus, and Rock Spring Presbyterian Church in Meadowview. A move to Pulaski, Va., occurred in 1967, where he pastored Anderson Memorial Presbyterian Church. In 1978, the family relocated to Tennessee where he was pastor at New Bethel Presbyterian Church in Piney Flats. 1987 found him in Welch, W.Va., where his churches were First Presbyterian Church and Anderson Memorial Presbyterian Church. Retirement in 1994 took him back to Pulaski where he served as supply pastor until 2000. His ministry involved not only preaching, youth work, the performance of weddings and funerals, and administrative matters, but much hospital, sick and member visitation, increasingly with his wife. He was active in each presbytery. He is remembered for his dry wit, godly character, concern for the souls and burdens of others, and love for family. He said that he was "nudged by God to major in prayer." He is survived by his dearly loved wife of 52 years, MaryGene Manning Longenecker, ("If I had to do it all over again, I'd keep the wife the same!"); his older daughter, Susan L. Dawson (Mark); his younger daughter, Ruth L. Deligdisch (Glen). Also, grandchildren, John and David Dawson and Amy and Peter Deligdisch. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Hopper; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Longenecker Vail; and his stepmother, Ruth Engler Longenecker. The family is very thankful for the capable and loving care of the staff at Sharon Towers and those from Charlotte Hospice. A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010. Visitation will be at Sharon Towers from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. the same day. Another memorial service and interment will be in Piney Flats, Tenn., at a date to be announced. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 3307 Rea Road, Charlotte, NC 28226; to Charlotte Hospice and Palliative Care, 1420 East Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204; or to the Sharon Towers' Residents' Assistance Fund, 5100 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. McEwen Funeral Service Pineville Chapel is in charge of local arrangements. Condolences and messages of sympathy may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting www.mem.com or www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com