Harold Van Aulbert, 74, passed away at home after a 3- ½ year journey with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Terry Cooke Aulbert, his mother, Reba Thomas Aulbert, both of High Point; his sister, Sue Snipes and brother-in-law Danny of Oak Island, NC, two daughters, Kelsey Aulbert Harris and son-in-law Chuck, and Sarah Pruitt Byrd and son-in-law, Jon, all of High Point. He also has nine grandchildren: Colby Wolffis and Graylyn Wolffis of Winston-Salem, NC; Ethan, Sadie, and Lily Dumoulin and Tori and Luke Harris of High Point, NC; and Bennett and Jena Byrd, also of High Point. He was pre-deceased by his father, Harold “Chip” Aulbert and his daughter, Ansley Aulbert Wolffis.
Van, a life-long resident of High Point, was a 1962 graduate of High Point High School. He spent a couple of years at NC State University, but ultimately found his passion at Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, MI where he graduated with a B.F.A. in furniture design in 1969. Returning to High Point, he spent nearly 50 years in the furniture industry as a freelance furniture designer where he was known for his ability to collaborate to make furniture design look easy. He never really retired from designing, inspired to create in his last year.
He was a 35+ year member of the Westfield Open golf group, an avid participant in the Table of Knowledge, and an attendee of the YMCA Men’s Wednesday morning Bible study. During his life, he spent his time on the golf course, with one hole-in-one to his credit, on snow slopes, riding motorcycles, playing tennis, fishing, running, and most preferred – sitting on the beach listening to his beach music. He was a car enthusiast with an obsession about a clean car and liked clothes shopping having a reputation of being a sharp dresser. He enjoyed morning coffee at the Corner Grill, satisfying his insatiable sweet tooth, and had an affinity for crab legs and small-batch bourbon.
All of these may tell you a bit about Van, but honestly, to know Van was to love Van as he was a most gracious, unassuming, and kind husband, son, brother, dad, peepaw, and friend. As he grew older, the genuine love he showed to his family and friends grew as his love for Jesus did. He was forever grateful for the contributions of family and friends that God brought into his unbelievably blessed life.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, September 1st at 11a.m., at Oak Hill Friends Meeting in High Point. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Oak Hill Friends Meeting. Davis Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Online condolences for Van can be made at www.davisfuneralsandcremations.com. Davis Funeral Home is honored to serve the Aulbert family.
