John Thomas High, III

John Thomas “Tom” High III, 84, of Wilson passed away Sunday, July 14. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m. at West Nash United Methodist Church, 2200 Nash Street, Wilson. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Born and raised in Wilson, Tom graduated from Charles L. Coon High School in 1958. He and his high school sweetheart, Betsy Powell High, spent many afternoons at The Creamery before their long-distance relationship continued while Tom attended the United States Air Force Academy. Tom was a proud member of the original Red Tag Bastards, the fourth class to graduate from the Academy in Colorado Springs in 1962. After their marriage in 1962, Tom and Betsy began their Air Force adventure together, moving 23 times during a 30-year military career. Tom served his country with pride and with distinction. 

After retiring at the rank of Colonel in 1992, Tom earned his teaching degree at Clemson University and had a fulfilling second career as a middle-school math teacher in Kilmarnock, Virginia. After a second retirement, Tom and Betsy moved back to Wilson to be closer to their daughter Alison and her family, and regularly traveled to Minnesota to visit their daughter Angela and her family. Tom and his family enjoyed many wonderful times together at their beloved Topsail Beach. 

Tom was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Betsy Powell High, as well as his loving parents, John Thomas High II and Lucille Stallings High. Tom is survived by his two daughters and their families: Alison Howard and her husband, Jim Howard of Wilson, North Carolina and Angela High-Pippert and her husband, Tim Pippert of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Beloved grandchildren include Emily Carole Howard of Wilson, North Carolina, Andrew Whitman Howard of Wilson, North Carolina, Caroline High Pippert of Evanston, Illinois, and Isabelle High Pippert of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Tom is also survived by his brother Jim High and sister Molly Boone and her husband, Larry Boone. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and friends from Hampton, New Hampshire who are considered family. He also leaves behind many friends from The Landing, Dan Finch Pottery, and West Nash United Methodist Church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to West Nash United Methodist Church, 2200 Nash Street N, Wilson, North Carolina, 27896, Seeds of Hope-Wilson, P.O. Box 2262, Wilson, North Carolina 27894, or The American Legion Post 13 of Wilson, PO Box 2065, Wilson, North Carolina 27895. The family would like to thank Dr. Charles Baio and his caring staff as well as the compassionate medical staff at Wilson Medical Center. 

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.