George Allen Mebane IV ’52

George Allen Mebane IV ’52, of Mocksville, N.C., died Nov. 14 after an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Pat Pannill Mebane. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Marianne Cheek Mebane, Route 6, Box 49, Mocksville, NC 27028; his sons, George Allen Mebane V and William Michael Mebane; his daughter, Lucy Mebane Webster; his brother, Thomas A. Mebane; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of valued relatives, faithful friends, and business associates. Allen was born Sept. 28, 1929, in Greensboro, N.C. After attending Davidson and Philadelphia University, he served in the U.S. Army for two years. Early in his career, he worked in sales in the textile industry and became familiar with all aspects of the business. At the age of 35, he assumed his first executive position as president and CEO of Throwing Corporation of America. In 1967 he cofounded Universal Textured Yarns where he was president and CEO. Four years later, the company was sold, and he and others started Unifi, Inc. Over the next 30 years, the company grew to sales in excess of $1.5 billion, becoming the largest producer and processor of textured yarns in the world with plants in the United States, England, Brazil, and Ireland. In 2000, Allen retired from Unifi, Inc. and directed his efforts toward the Mebane Charitable Foundation, Inc., with a significant focus on education in public schools. The Foundation has been responsible for providing technology and educational programs to thousands of children in Davie County. Allen was a member of the board of visitors of Columbia University Medical Center of New York, a former member of the advisory board of Duke Eye Center in Durham, N.C., and trustee emeritus of Christ School in Arden, N.C. Allen possessed an ever-curious and forward-thinking mind and was a relentless seeker of information. He pursued his passions for golf, art, hunting, and friends with a great deal of enthusiasm and enjoyed life to its fullest measure.