Born in Neuss, Germany in 1935, Wolfgang "Wolfie" Lonnes' first years entailed memories of blaring sirens, bomb shelters, cellars and smoldering buildings - all sad realities of World War II. Fortunately, his entire family relocated to Eschenlohe, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of Bavaria. Adventures from the next ten very formative years spent amidst a large and loving family and robust farm community - hiking and skiing in the Alps, playing soccer, running foot loose and fancy free with the village boys (and later girls!) - painted the backdrop of Wolfie's many tales. His ability to welcome friends of various ages with a generous drink, a comfortable rocker by the fire or a slow boat ride around Lake Lanier most often included an entertaining anecdote or two from these early years.In 1956, at the age of twenty-one, Wolfie embarked on a three-month visit to the United States - an endeavor that happened to extend over the next 54 years of his life! Not only did his professional career with Milliken & Co. begin in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, but also his love and commitment to Joan Zimmermann Lonnes. The couple married in 1959 and was almost immediately hit with Wolfie's two-year stint in the US Army (one, in Korea). He had an intense dislike for warfare but became a very proud naturalized US citizen. He loved this country and saw it as a land of opportunity in which hard work is rewarded. An avid horseman, upon his return to civilian life in Pennsylvania,Wolfie and two friends founded the Bucks County Hounds, which he proudly served as treasurer.Wolfie's determination and absolute dedication to his work quickly propelled him through the ranks to become a Milliken plant manager. Following the birth of their son Michael Wolfgang, and daughter Jessica Maria, Milliken transported the family down South where Wolfie's career unfolded in several plant locations. Although a forty-four mile trek each way to his new mill in Golden Valley, he found, fell in love with and purchased the home of his dreams: the old River House located in Tryon's Old Hunting Country where he rode to the Tryon Hounds. The "Sand Ring" was always available for schooling horses and hosting events of the Carolina Carriage Club. For the next 41 years, and even up to a week before his passing, Wolfie devoted countless hours, sweat and soul to the restoration and upkeep of his beloved pastures, stables and property which was recently placed under a conservation easement with Upstate Forever. He duly served on the Boards of Directors of Tryon Riding & Hunt Club and The Sheltered Workshop and on the Board of Advisors of Gardner-Webb College. He was a charter member of The Monday Evening Club, a forum organized for "intelligent and tolerant discussions" of the Arts, Music, Sciences and other cultural subjects. When the hard work was over, however, Wolfie loved to play - anything from a number of competitive sets of tennis to a round of golf to a fierce game of backgammon with his children and, later, his grandson, Sebastian Lukas Portuondo. Most of Wolfie's so-called play time included sharing with others: trail riding through the Hunting Country, entertaining at the River House, taking his children and their friends to Sugar Mountain for night skiing in "only a corduroy and a sweater", teaching over a hundred relatives and friends to water ski at Lake Lanier, admiring the sunset over Tryon Peak, shooting fireworks from his boat on the 4th of July, hosting an animated Steeplechase group each spring..........Wolfgang Lonnes lived his life with a capital "L". He was a man known for his passionate, dedicated, fastidious, reliable, generous, fun-loving, adventurous and utterly fair approach to life and the world around him. Wolfie loved to hear the sound of horses trotting on the gravel road outside his kitchen bay window and to listen to Mozart or German zither melodies while spending hours at his desk "keeping the records straight". He appreciated a delicious meal, a solid read, a household filled with visitors from near and far, a well-told joke, contagious laughter, a meandering drive with his '67 Mercedes. A faithful dog and purring cat counted amongst his friends. As many know well, Wolfie's positive attributes were many, his rainy days few. He will be sorely missed in Tryon, the greater community and far beyond. Left to celebrate his life and cherish his memories are wife, Joan; son Michael and wife Beth of Redondo Beach, CA; daughter Jessica, partner Michael Wilder and grandson Sebastian of Richmond, VA; brothers Kurt and Rudolf; sister Anita and her husband Dr. Gunter Van Endert; sister Helma von Jordans; sisters-in-law Hannelore, Doris and Eleanore; many nieces and nephews as well as numerous cousins throughout Europe. In honor of his international community of family and friends, Wolfgang Lonnes will be interred in the garden of Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, NC, as well as in the Lonnes family grave in Neuss, Germany, to join his grandparents, parents and oldest brother, Robert. A memorial celebration of his life will be held on August 13, 2010 at 11 a.m. in The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Tryon. Gifts in his behalf will be gratefully acknowledged by a charity of one's choice.
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