Marshville-Mr. Okey Richard High, 81, passed away September 4, 2023 at his home.  Born June 1, 1942 in Norfolk, VA, he was a son of the late Okey John and Verla Huggins High.  He was proceeded in death by his first wife Ella Ruth Austin High, sister Jane Morgan and his stepmother Mildred Rushing High.

Richard graduated from Forest Hills High School in 1961.  After graduation, he worked several jobs before finding his true calling in the automotive industry.  For more than forty years, Richard worked in parts management for several different automobile dealerships in the local area including Griffin Chevrolet, Monroe Motor Company and Bob Mayberry Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep.  He had a vast knowledge of cars, trucks and Jeeps, especially; if you needed a part for a Jeep, you needed to go see Richard High.  Since retirement, Richard enjoyed spending time with his family, watching his favorite television shows, listening to all his favorite music and taking many trips to Bojangle's with his sweetheart, Billie Ann.

Richard greatly enjoyed listening to gospel, country and western and bluegrass music, two of his favorite artists being Hank Williams and Patty Loveless.  He delighted in everything related to science, nature and history, being an avid reader of both Smithsonian and National Geographic for many, many years.  He had a passion for cars, agricultural equipment and anything that ran with a gas or diesel engine.  Best of all, he loved his family and that's how he would most want everyone to remember him.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Richard will be 11 AM, September, Friday, September 8, 2023 at Gilboa United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Gilboa United Methodist Church cemetery.  A visitation will be held at 5-7 PM, Thursday at the funeral home.

Those left to cherish his memory include his devoted wife, Billie Ann Drake High, sons Perry High (Angie) and Tero High (Amy); favorite grandson, Logan Heath High; sisters Sandy Collins, Janet Fiedler, Martha Hinson and many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Gibbs.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to either Gilboa United Methodist Church, 5515 Gilboa Road, Marshville, NC 28103 or Hospice of Union County, 700 West Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110.

Morgan and Son Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. High