Kenneth Howard High

Ken was born in Crockett, Texas on January 18, 1930, to Asa Thomas High and Mary Platt High. He was a graduate of Tyler Junior College, Tyler, Texas.

He was a career Air Force Command pilot with more than 13,000 hours flying time. He served in Korea in 1953, Japan from 1954 to 1956, England from 1958 to 1961 and Thailand in 1966 and 1967 where he flew 91 combat missions over North Vietnam. He also served nine years as a test pilot with the Rome Air Development Center, Griffiss AFB, New York and as the Government Representative and test pilot at the Martin Company, Middle River, Maryland. Among his awards and decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals. After retiring from the Air Force, he was employed by Dow Chemical Company as a corporate pilot from 1972 through 1985.

From boyhood, he surrounded himself with an entourage of critters - from baby alligators, to horny toads and squirrels. Upon his retirement, he greatly enjoyed renewing that hobby by becoming a member of Gulf Coast Wildlife Rescue, and spent several years nurturing and releasing small animals back to the wild. Flower and vegetable gardens thrived under his expert care. As an avid outdoorsman he loved hunting and fishing. He was a wordsmith, and enjoyed poetry and the clever turn of a phrase. He also loved pecan pie, Gunsmoke, "Stardust” and his little dog Lily. His greatest pleasure, as he said often, was being with family.

Ken is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and William Sarles, of Keller, Texas; his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and David Carey, of Austin; and his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Susan High, of Lubbock, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Katherine Sarles Drumm and husband Tim, Tim Carey, Will Carey, David Sarles, John Carey, and Michael High and his great grandchildren, Luke Drumm and Elizabeth Drumm. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Janice Kenaston High, his parents, an infant son Thomas, and his brothers Leon and Mac High.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to Gulf Coast Wildlife Rescue, 316 CR 605, Angleton, TX 77515

Funeral services and interment will be at Restwood Funeral Home at 3 p.m., on Saturday, February 7th, 2015. An early supper reception to celebrate his life will follow.