Dr. Gerald Virgil Long 68 of Chapin died Sunday March 20th 2011 at his residence in the company of his children. Dr. Long was born July 20th 1942 a son of the late L. Hubert and Juanita Hunter Long. He was a beloved husband to Faye until her death in 2006 and was the dearest father to seven children and grandfather to eleven. He was an avid gardener sports fan and a dedicated golfer. He served many friends through his membership in the Dutch Fork Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 7449 Broad River Road Irmo SC. Dr. Long was a 1960 graduate of Newberry High School and a 1964 graduate of Newberry College where he lettered in baseball. Gerald worked as a teacher and coach and later for DeKalb Ag Research. In 1982 Dr. Long graduated from Life Chiropractic College Marietta GA. He established his practice in Chapin and Newberry SC. As a chiropractor Dr. Long lovingly served his patients in Newberry Chapin and the surrounding communities for 28 years. His patients many of whom became friends praised his compassion his listening ear and his healing touch. He was known for his encouraging manner and his treatment of all who came for care. He generously shared his knowledge with patients and with aspiring chiropractors. Dr. Long is survived by three daughters and one son-in-law Laurin Long of Spartanburg Kristin L. and Ben Connell of Lugoff and Erin Long of Columbia; four sons and three daughters-in-law David Long of Surfside Beach Richard and Amber Long of Mesa AZ Russell and Jaqueline Long of Campinas SP Brazil and Geoffrey and Victoria Long of Irmo; one sister and brother-in-law Jenny and Jackie Runyan of Simpsonville; four brothers and three sisters-in-law James and Janet Long of Newberry Heber and Margaret Long of Newberry Derald and Ruth Long of Flowery Branch GA and Elliot Long of Cross Hill; and eleven grandchildren Elizabeth Long Alexander Long Andrew Long Anthony Long Matthew Long Isabella Long Nicholas Long Kaya Long Sadie Long Cassidy Long and Annabelle Connell. Special thanks are extended to the Stake Presidency and High Council of the West Columbia SC Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with whom Gerald served for the last three years. Special thanks are also extended to the members of the Dutch Fork and Irmo wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the service rendered during Dr. Longs illness especially over the last three months. Visitation was 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday March 24th 2011 at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Family and close friends were invited to visit the family at the residence from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. Services were conducted at 2:00 pm Friday March 25th 2011 at the Newberry Ward Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2112 Glenn Street Ext. Newberry SC. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research 106 Towerview Court Cary NC 27513 or online at www.jimmyv.org. Other gifts and flowers should be sent to the funeral home. On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com or at www.caringbridge.org/visit/drgeraldlong. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.