Obituary of Barney High

Barney H. High, Jr. Mr. High, 84, of Charlotte, died Thursday, July 2, 2009, at Presbyterian Hospital. He was born in Wilson County, NC on September 11, 1924, son of the late Barney H. High, Sr. and the late Mollie Braswell High. Barney served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the 3rd Army under Generals Patton and Bradley. He received two Battle Stars, a Purple Heart and a Good Conduct medal. He saw action at the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine River crossing and was involved in the occupation of Berlin. His career after the war was primarily in sales. He worked for Economics Laboratories, Inc. and Parks Sales & Distributing. Throughout Barney's life, he was always an inquisitive person and eager for new challenges. He had unusual technical ability and devoted many weekends to tinkering with cars and electronics. In fact, at age 70, he purchased his first computer. He took to computers as naturally as he took to cars. In his retirement years, Barney enjoyed his time at a second home in Cherry Grove, SC, with many days spent surf-fishing and walking the beach. A cheerful person, Barney good-naturedly teased his family and friends. Strangers usually didn't remain strangers for long around him. Surviving Barney is his devoted wife of 59 years, Sharon Bunn High; daughters, Suzanne High McBrayer and husband, Alan of Charlotte, NC and Elizabeth High of Nashville, TN; sons, Barney H. High, III and wife, Angie of Charlotte, NC and James Thomas High of Wilson, NC. Also surviving are his brother, James A. High and wife, Frances of Wilson, NC and his sister, Jean Bennett and husband, Lennie of Engelhard, NC. A service celebrating Barney's life will be held Sunday, July 5, 2009, at 2:00 PM in the Hankins & Whittington Dilworth Chapel. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Flowers are welcome and memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.