John Wesley High, Sr., 99, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012. He was born January 3, 1913, son of the late Charles Fletcher High and Lane Katherine Wester High. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Pattie Winters High, daughters, Fay Powell and husband, Dan and Norma Smith; and sister, Wilma High.
Mr. High was a farmer in Nash County until he started work with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad in the fall of 1936. In April of 1944 he entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He and his scout dog landed on Iwo Jima where he was wounded in February of 1945 from which he received a Purple Heart. After returning to the U.S. he returned to the railroad where he worked for 38 1/2 years until his retirement on January 3, 1975.
Mr. High loved to fish and hunt with his dogs. He taught young boys of Dortches to shoot and handle armament properly, as well as how to play baseball. He has visited many homes in the name of Christ, taught R.A.s, as well as Sunday School for 68 years, and was a deacon in his church.
Mr. High was on the originating board of the old Railroad Credit Union, now the Freedom Federal Credit Union. Mr. High tended a very large garden and yard filled with flower beds well into his 80s. He enjoyed sharing flower bouquets, vegetables, and preparing plates of food for neighbors and friends.
Mr. High attributed his long happy life to his happy marriage of 68 years, to his loving family and friends and to the Lords daily presence in his life.
Left to cherish his memory, daughter, Becky High-Shipp and husband, Frank of Durham; son, John W. High, Jr. and wife, Brenda of Rocky Mount; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Mr. Highs caregivers, Kathy, Robin, Debbie and Sylvia for the love and support that was shown to him over the past two years. Also, thank you to the staff of Autumn Care and Nash Health Care for the love and care that was shown to Mr. High.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at Dortches Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Barton and Dr. Chet Rains officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dortches Baptist Church, 4776 Dortches Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Saturday 6/9, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Service
Dortches Baptist Church Cemetery
4776 Dortches Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Sunday 6/10, 2:00 pm
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
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Lit a candle in memory of John Wesley High