Howard Leon High

Howard Leon High was born to Oliver Howard and Doris Nannie High on February 27, 1937 in White Plains, NY. Leon grew up in White Plains where he started work at the early age of 16 by delivering newspapers. He graduated from White Plains High School in 1955. He attended Monroe Business College in the Bronx studying Key Punching. He also took courses in accounting at the Taft Business School.

Howard's first job after graduating from high school was as an elevator operator for County Trust Bank (Chase). He worked for Grasslands Hospital in the medical records department as a file clerk. He then went on to the County Office Building as an offset pressman. In the 1980's he was supervisor of the print shop for 38 years. Being such a hard worker, he held several part-time jobs: sales person at Korvettes and cleaning offices in Armonk.

After retiring from Westchester County in 1996, Leon was employed by the White Plains Bus Company as a part-time driver for Elmsford School district. He worked there for 15 years.

Leon joined Bethel Baptist Church in 1949. He sang with the Voices of Bethel, BBC Mass Choir, and the Male Chorus. He was also a member of the Senior Ushers Ministry, although he was not a cook, he loved to put on his white apron and serve at the Usher's Easter Breakfast. He served on the Trustee Ministry for several years as the secretary.

Traveling was something he looked forward to each summer especially cruising. He loved Royal Caribbean (his favorite) and he traveled the Caribbean, Hawaii and the southern and northern United States. He traveled with his wife, Barbara, and his traveling buddies the Griers, Tate's and Blair's. He was always a "snazzy" dresser. His clothes had to be color coordinated. Shopping for clothes was his passion. He loved seeing things grow and during the Mother's Day weekend the flowers always had to be planted so they would be everywhere. Barbara told him that they could not eat the flowers so he graciously planted tomatoes and zucchini.

He leaves to mourn, his wife Barbara of thirty-seven years. Sons, Corey Howard (White Plains), Keith Randall (Hartsdale), Jeffrey Lane (deceased). Two grandchildren, Marlowe of Charlotte, N.C. and Jewel Tiffany of Peekskill, NY. Sisters-in-law, Beverly E. Smith of Raleigh, N.C., Marilyn A. Jones of Midlothian, Va., one niece Shannan Danielle, Lynchburg, VA. Rev. Mary A. Jones his mother-in-law who he affectionately called "Mama Jones".

Along with extended family members, friends and best friend Irving Gray of Columbus, Ohio, Leon will be deeply missed.