Moody Allen Long

He was the middle child of E. Moody Long & Mable Mann Long & was the great-grandson of one the founders of Apex- Daniel Mann.

Allen was born on January, 3rd, 1940 in Garner, N.C. As a toddler, the family re-located to Apex where he would live the remaining 70 years of his life. After attending Apex High School he attended NC State University. Allen's passion was aviation and he became a private pilot at age 17. Then he pursued his credentials to become a certified flight instructor, commercial pilot as well as an A&P mechanic.

Allen served his country as a 'Specialist Fifth Case' in the National Guard Company & 730th Maintenance Battalion for 6 years & was honorably discharged on July 11, 1969.

Allen worked 30 years for the N.C. Dept. of Transportation in Mapping, Hydraulics, Utilities & Roadways and Structure. He was an active delegate with district 39 State Employees Association for many years. In addition to his full-time job, he also worked numerous part-time jobs such as with Raleigh Flying Service & he was an Apex Police Dept. Sergeant for 18 years. He operated his own business called 'Long's Piper Service, and participated in pulling advertisement banners over stadiums during athletic events. After retirement he continued to work at two different retirement facilities, Spring Arbor in Apex & The Forest at Duke in Durham. He was a lifelong member of the N.C. Aero Club as well as the Experimental Aircraft Association. During his lifetime, he owned 99 airplanes. He was a member of the Apex Baptist Church for over 50 years- where he taught an RA Boys class, assisted with transportation needs & served as deacon.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Moody & Mable Long. He is survived by his wife Diane Steed Long, their one daughter-Connie Long Moriarty and her husband, Peter Moriarty from Burbank, CA., his sister, Blake Long Settlemyer and her husband Phil, nephew Frank Settlemyer and his wife Robyn, sons Seth, Philip & Wells from Marietta, GA., his brother Lawrence Long and his wife Helen, from Apex, Aunts Vivian Sanders and her husband Furman from Fayetteville, N.C. and Lillie Matthews of Canton, NC.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 17th, 2012 at 3:00pm at the Apex Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, March 16th 2012, at the Apex Funeral Home located at 550 W. Williams St. Apex, 27502.

Flowers or memorials are welcome to be given to the Apex Baptist Church Benevolent Fund or to the Salvation Army. Condolences may be sent through http://www.apexfuneral.net.