Franklin Roland “Pete” Longenecker III passed away on Nov. 14, 2010, at Cypress Stewart Health Center in Charlotte. He was 72.

He was born Jan. 23, 1938, in Norristown, Pa., and was the son of the late Franklin Roland Longenecker Jr. and the late Lydia Roberts Longenecker. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Longenecker Froyer and brother John Gwen Longenecker.

Pete attended The Lawrenceville School, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned an MBA in Marketing from the University of Connecticut. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

He began his successful textile career at the Dupont Co. as a research engineer in Wilmington, Del. In 1965, he moved to Fairfield Conn. He was Vice President of the Apparel and Industrial Marketing Division of Hoechst Fibers Industries in New York City for 11 years and then the Vice President Marketing of Menswear for Dan River Inc. He was a member of the American Arbitration Association for the Textile Industry. Pete served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Greenfield Hill Congregation Church in Fairfield.

After moving to North Carolina, he was the President and General Manager of the Glen Touch division of Glen Raven Mills and ended his career with Stickley Textiles as Vice President of Sales. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro and Greensboro Country Club. His Tuesday morning Men’s Bible Study with John Willett had a special importance to him and added meaning to his life.

He was a devoted husband and family man and is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Andrea; daughter, Lisa Muse; son Franklin Roland Longenecker IV and wife Cara; grandchildren Franklin Roland Longenecker V (Quin) and Kaleigh Ana Longenecker; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pete was a Little League Coach and enjoyed golf, reading, traveling, and gardening.

A service to celebrate his life will be held in the sanctuary of Davidson College Presbyterian Church, where he was a member, on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 11 am. The Graveside service will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro at 4 p.m.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Stewart Health Center and Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, for their compassion, love and care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Davidson College Presbyterian Church, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, or Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region.

Arrangements are by Raymer Funeral Home, Huntersville.

www.raymerfh.com