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Thomas High Jr.
THOMAS HIGH JR.
Robins
Thomas W. High Jr., 80, of Robins, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 6, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of Robins; son, Darryl (Amy) High of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Susanne (Jonathan) Gallagher of Marion; 10 grandchildren, Alexandra, Jack, Jessica, Samantha and Lauren High, Kevin, Elizabeth, Maria, Nathaniel and Joshua Gallagher; sister, Louise (Leon) Sherouse of Ocala, Fla.; brother, Louis (Heather) High of Bayport, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Thomas was born Sept. 19, 1934, the son of Thomas and Thelma (Harrington) High in St. Petersburg, Fla. On April 5, 1958, Thomas married Mary Hobbs and they would have celebrated their 57th anniversary this Easter Sunday. A polio survivor from his teenage years, Tom never allowed this limitation to define his life. After being told by doctors that he would never walk again, he defied the odds and walked for more than 60 years.
Tom was a private pilot and an avid outdoorsman, who loved to fish and take trips to the Tennessee mountains.
He was a devoted family man, partner and animal lover. He was deeply loved by his 10 grandchildren, who referred to him affectionately as "Papaw."
Tom graduated from the University of Florida in 1957 and then earned his master's and Ph.D. in animal nutrition from the University of Tennessee in 1966.
Tom was an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee before working with the extension service at Auburn University. The judge at many state and local steer and hog shows, he was known and respected by all in his field. Tom finished his career as an animal nutritionist with Vigortone Ag Products for 20 years in Cedar Rapids.
Tom lived his life with integrity, resilience and was an inspiration to all who had the privilege to meet him. He will be deeply missed by his family.
Memorials may be directed to Bridgehaven in Thomas's memory.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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