DALLAS MILTON HIGH

Dallas Milton High, resident of Mount Dora, Florida, passed on March 10, 2019.  Dallas was 87.  He was born in Ohio City, Ohio to Mary Frances and Orval Henry High, dairy farmers.  He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Yale University (Bachelor of Divinity) and Duke University (Ph. D.).  Dallas's career included becoming the Assistant Pastor of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Marion, Ohio as an ordained Methodist minister.    An interest in college academics led Dallas first to teach at Hiram College for four years, followed by an appointment to teach and direct the graduate studies at the University of Kentucky for the next thirty.  During those years, he held season's tickets to the University's men's varsity basketball team, and after retirement he remained an avid fan.  Rivalry between Duke and Kentucky caused Dallas a chuckle, saying it was just fine for either team to win.

Dallas's professional experience included being Chair of the Philosophy Department at the University of Kentucky, Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Associate at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, author of five books and hundreds of articles in other books and professional journals.  He lectured throughout the United States on his topics of expertise:  Aging and Ethics, Health Care Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, and Contemporary Philosophy.   He was instrumental in obtaining several grants, and was awarded four major grants from the Rockefeller Foundation, Danforth Foundation (2) and the National Endowment for the Humanities.  He served on committees, advisory councils and Board of Directors at the University.  He received the Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Faculty, and was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.

A year-long sabbatical took Dallas and his family to London, where he studied under Cicely Saunders.  Ms. Saunders' work is considered the basis of modern hospice philosophy, and Dallas brought many of those concepts into the United States.

Dallas took on the leadership role in every activity in which he was associated.  In his earlier years, he was the President of his high school class for three years, State President of the Ohio Future Farmers of America, National Vice President of the Future Farmers of America, and President of the State of Ohio United Methodist Youth Fellowship.  He loved to tell stories of his adventures in all these areas, but primarily his delight was in meeting and having his picture made with Harry Truman.  In addition, Dwight Eisenhower wrote him a letter thanking him for tossing his beanie hat as a souvenir while campaigning on the back of a train.  The picture and the letter are framed and in a prominent place in his home.

After retirement, his enthusiasm for staying involved in community affairs was evident.  He was an avid golfer and water skier and Director on the Mount Dora Community Concert Board, Board of Directors and Secretary of the Mount Dora Golf Association, President and Treasurer of the Park Place homeowners association, and Member and Secretary of the Mount Dora Yacht Club.

But mostly, Dallas was devoted to his family.  He will be forever missed by those who loved him, and they are grateful for the unconditional love he gave to them during his lifetime.  Dallas's three brothers predeceased him.  He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Sarah Ellen High, his sons Craig High (Lisa), Scott High (Laura) and Brad High (Floro Dioquino).  His two young grandchildren, Courtney and Austin High, brought joy to his heart.  The love and respect between Sarah's family and Dallas was mutual.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice,  2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL  32778.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Waterman Village Chapel, 445 Waterman Avenue, Mount Dora, Florida, on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.  Father Mark Lafler, St. Edwards Episcopal, will officiate.  After the service, a reception will be held.   For further information, contact Allen J. Harden Funeral Home at 1800 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, Florida. https://www.allenjharden.com/ 352-383-8178.