George Hamilton Long Jr.

COLUMBIA - George Hamilton Long, Jr., widower of Joyce Binkley Long, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022, after a long illness. Born in Columbia on December 30, 1935, to the late Jessie Mae Owens Long and George Hamilton Long, Sr., George was a graduate of Columbia High School, where he lettered in cheerleading. Following a long career in electronics sales, he was an entrepreneur and self-published author. George was a skilled craftsman who could design and build almost anything, and the proud author of his children’s book, Pocketfull of Dreams.

George was a gregarious, fun-loving and upbeat person and an engaging conversationalist who never met a stranger. He loved golf, which he played enthusiastically with friends and family for many years. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and gave his time to all of them very generously. All will remember his enthusiastic presence and his keen interest in their every major endeavor, which he steadfastly supported.

He is survived by his daughters, Mary Kathryn O’Kelly Richardson (Larry) of Red Bank, Deborah Lynne O’Kelly Day (Glenn) of Red Bank, and Dawn Long Brooker (David) of Fort Mill; sons David Hamilton O’Kelly (Laurie) of Columbia, George “Trip” Hamilton Long, III (Mary) of Lancaster; stepdaughters Dana Binkley Taylor (Keith) of Columbia, and Beth Binkley of Washington, DC; and by eight grandsons, two granddaughters, five great granddaughters and two great grandsons. Also surviving are his dear and supportive friends, Helen Tilton Kearney and Frank Melonas. In addition to his wife and parents, George was predeceased by his sister, Linda Jo Long Broome.

A celebration of George’s life will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 4:00 p.m., at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, with visitation to follow.

The family would like to extend our thanks to the staff who cared for him during his recent stay at Lexington Medical Center, and to the staff who cared for him over the past four years at Lexington Extended Care, where he had many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SC Junior Golf Foundation, 7451 Irmo Drive, Columbia SC 29212.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.