Charlotte, N.C.- It is with great regret and sadness that the Charlotte Fire Department announced the sudden death of a member of their own family. Just before 6:00 pm Friday, December 01, 2006 Charlotte FireFighter Kent Furman Long, 44 years old collapsed at Charlotte Fire Station # 23 while on duty. Fellow FireFighters began immediate resuscitation efforts along with a Medic crew that was on duty at the fire station. Brother Kent Long was quickly transported to Carolinas Medical Center where continued efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Our prayers, thoughts, and support go out to the Kent Long family at this very difficult time. The Charlotte Fire Dept family is grateful for the support that has already been extended to us as we deal with this tragic event. At this time the funeral arrangements are incomplete

FIREFIGHTER II KENT FURMAN LONG

1962-2006

Date of Hire 9.27.1989

as a Member of Recruit Class # 35

17 Years of Dedicated Service

Kent leaves behind a wife Gina, 3 children and many brothers and sisters of the Fire Service

Mcewen Funeral Home is Responding to the Needs of the Kent Long Family    7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd Charlotte, NC 28227    # 704.545.4864

Source click here: Charlotte Fire Department

The arrangements are as follows:

Mr. Kent Furman Long, 44, of Indian Trail, died Friday, December 1, 2006 at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. Monday, December 4, 2006 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church.  A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary with The Reverend Dr. Joe B. Brown officiating.  Interment will follow at Evergreen City Cemetery.

Kent was born March 2, 1962 in Charlotte, the son of  Nancy Hubbard Long of Charlotte and the late Hazel Furman "Johnny" Long.  He was a 1980 graduate of Garinger High School and a graduate of University of North Carolina – Charlotte.  Kent was a Firefighter II with the Charlotte Fire Department Station 23 at Hickory Grove.  He was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church and the Mint Hill Masonic Lodge.  Kent will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband and father and he will be deeply missed by his family and his extended "fire department family".

In addition to his mother, Kent is survived by his beloved wife, Regina Skeens Long; his children, Lance, Callie, and Gage all of the home; in-laws, Ray and Elaine Skeens of Indian Trail; and brother-in-law, Kelly Skeens of San Antonio, TX.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Kent Long Children's Memorial Fund, C/O Charlotte Fire Department Credit Union, 2100 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC  28205.  Condolences to the family may be made at www.mem.com.

McEwen Funeral Home is responding to the needs of the Long family. 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Charlotte, 704-545-4864

Source: FireNews.net