George Allen Mebane IV

George Allen Mebane, IV, of Mocksville, NC, died November 14, 2008 after an extended illness.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Pat Pannill Mebane.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Marianne Cheek Mebane; sons and daughters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George Allen Mebane, V, of Shelby; Mr. and Mrs. William Michael Mebane, of Winston-Salem; daughter, Lucy Mebane Webster, of Fletcher; brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Mebane, of Greensboro; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of valued relatives, faithful friends and business associates.
Allen was born September 28, 1929 in Greensboro, NC. He excelled in leadership and sports at Christ School in Arden, NC, where he graduated in 1948. After attending Davidson College and Philadelphia University, he served in the United States Army for two years.
Early in his career he worked in sales in the textile industry and became familiar with all aspects of the business. At the age of 35, he assumed his first executive position as President and CEO of Throwing Corporation of America. In l967 he founded, with two others, Universal Textured Yarns where he was President and CEO. Four years later, the company was sold and he and others started Unifi, Inc. Over the next 30 years, the company grew to sales in excess of $1.5 billion, becoming the largest producer and processor of textured yarns in the world with plants in the United States, England, Brazil, and Ireland.
In 2000, Allen retired from Unifi, Inc. and directed his efforts toward the Mebane Charitable Foundation, Inc., with a significant focus on education in public schools. The Foundation has been responsible for providing technology and educational programs to thousands of children in Davie County.
Allen was a member of the Board of Visitors of Columbia University Medical Center of New York, a former member of the Advisory Board of Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC, and Trustee Emeritus of Christ School in Arden, NC.
In addition, he was a founding member of the Country Club of North Carolina, Pinehurst, NC, and a member of Old Town Club, Winston-Salem, NC, and Wade Hampton Club, Cashiers, NC.
Allen possessed an ever-curious and forward-thinking mind; a relentless seeker of information. He pursued his passions for golf, art, hunting, and friends with a great deal of enthusiasm and enjoyed life to its fullest measure.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 22, at 11:00 a.m. at his home.
In lieu of flowers, Allen's family asks that those wishing to honor him consider making contributions to A Storehouse for Jesus, Post Office Box 216, Mocksville, NC, 27028; Christ School, 500 Christ School Road, Arden, NC, 28704; Columbia University, c/o Brian David, PH 8E Room 105, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032; or Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Office of Development, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157.
Salem Funeral Home in Winston- Salem is assisting the Mebane family with arrangements.
On-line condolences may be made to www.salemfh.com