Jacob Tyler High

To Jacob Tyler High, life was an adventure. An optimistic, and easy going individual with a naive innocence and a mischievous grin, he was content being himself. To everyone around him he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Jacob, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Jacob really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Jacob was born on January 8, 1996 at Virginia Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was born during a blizzard, making getting to the hospital a challenge! Jacob was raised in Rustburg, Virginia. Even as a child, Jacob had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention.

Always a good playmate, Jacob was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Jacob managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Jacob had one brother, Justin Matthew High. These two brothers had grown into the closest of friends. He also had two cousins, Lindsey and Emily, who were almost constant companions growing up.

All of Jacob's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. As a result, Jacob experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in football, karate, and t-ball. He was a member of Team Kids at church. In his spare time he enjoyed sword-fighting when very young, reading science fiction, video games, swimming, riding his Go-cart, and getting into mischief while playing with friends and family at his house.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Jacob was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Jacob simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Jacob, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy sharing with friends at school. Since experience was Jacob's best teacher, he enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Jacob graduated from Rustburg High School in 2014. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was auto shop. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Michael Myers. He also enjoyed English and was jokingly impressed with his vocabulary.

Jacob attended CVCC part time. His favorite courses were in welding shop. He was very proud of going into the lab and being able to finish the work independently, usually before any of the other students. He had earned an "A" in his final class.

Jacob was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience, but he could also be shy in new situations with people he didn't know well. It didn't usually take him long to turn strangers into friends. This quality allowed Jacob to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Jacob was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Jacob utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were Justin High, Lindsey Morris, Emily Morris, Ethan Baker, Blake Phillips, Alex Owens, Colton Thompson, Brice Phelps, Ryan Agee, Mikayla Wall, Katie Tyree , Colton Mullins, Megan Newcomb, Miguel Trejo, Brent Thacker, Randall Jones and many others. Later in life, he became friends with Lyndsey Anderson, Brandon Forslund, Kendall Anderson, Zack Ferguson, Jeremy Krantz ,"T" Goff and others. Jacob loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

Jacob was truly in love with Miss Lyndsey Anderson. He spent most evenings after work at her family's home in Rustburg. They had planned a future including two children, (a boy and girl), family around a big table, and attending church together every Sunday. Jacob wanted his children dressed in boots, jeans and T-shirts because that is how he dressed, and he wanted to be a role model for his kids, like his role model, Brent Baker, was for him. Lyndsey did have some different ideas about fashion, but as she has often said, she couldn't get Jacob really mad about anything even when she tried. Jacob began texting Lyndsey in middle school and finally the summer before Jacob's senior and Lyndsey's junior year, she said "yes" to "hanging out". They made a perfect pair and spent as much time together as possible, going out to eat, to the Lake, trips to Myrtle Beach, and spending time with their families and friends.

At work, as in life, Jacob was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Jacob used his common sense and trusted his experiences and intuition to uncover the correct answer. His primary occupation was as a heavy equipment mechanic. He was employed for 2 years at Hawkins-Graves, starting out in the wash-pit, but soon advancing into equipment repair. He enjoyed his work so much that he helped two of his best friends get jobs at Hawkins-Graves.

Jacob enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were four wheeling, working on cars, going to the drag strip, swimming, fishing, going to Smith Mt. Lake with Lyndsey and her family, watching movies, eating "good" food, detailing his lifted truck, listening to music (country, classic rock, hip hop), and playing board games. He loved hanging out with his friends and regardless of what they were doing he was determined to have the best time. Jacob was happy to help others when they needed it.

Given a faith foundation from his early years, Jacob recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He accepted Christ and was baptized at the age of 5, and he hoped to lay the same foundation for his own home and children. He had been a member of Rustburg Baptist and later at Community Fellowship Baptist Church.

Jacob was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Jacob's favorites was Ginger, a golden retriever. He also loved Peanut, Lyndsey's dog, and Brent Baker's pug. His family was rounded out by his dog Skippy, Suzie, and later by Jasper. He hoped one day to own a bulldog because he said that "They are fat and lovable."

Jacob passed away on October 19, 2015 at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia. Jacob died from an industrial accident where he worked. He is survived by Donna and Rick Sewell (parents), Justin High (brother), Lindsey, Emily, Scott, Madison and Harper (cousins), Sharon, Joyce, and Debra (aunts), Billy and Manie Scott (grandparents), uncles Don and Carl and “uncle Tommy,” and by Lyndsey Anderson (the love of his life). Services were held at Calvary Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Jacob was cremated and his ashes are with the family.

Jacob brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Jacob Tyler High lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

Obituary

Jacob Tyler High, 19, of Rustburg passed away Monday, October 19, 2015 from injuries received in an accident.

Jacob was born in Lynchburg, January 8, 1996. He was a graduate of Rustburg High School, class of 2014 and attended CVCC welding program part-time. He was a full time employee with Hawkns-Graves Inc. Jacob had a contagious enthusiasm for enjoying each day. His manner was easy going, and the twinkle in his eye was mischievous. When facing a challenge he would state, "I got this" or "It'll be all right." He believed that boots fit any occasion, that riding four wheelers was a major sport, that clothes had to be cool, the life is better when shared with friends and that a smile was never far away. He will be missed.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Donna and Rick Sewell of Rustburg; his biological father, Derreke High of Appomattox; one brother, Justin Matthew High of Lynchburg; his step-brother, Drew Sewell of Winston-Salem, NC; his maternal grandparents, Billy and Manie Scott; three aunts, Sharon Reaves and husband Don and Joyce Snead and husband Carl all of Blairs, VA and Debra Morris of Rustburg; three cousins, Scott Reaves and wife Jenny of Georgia, Lindsey Morris and Emily Morris both of Lynchburg and his girlfriend and the love of his life, Lyndsey Anderson.

A service celebrating Jacob's life will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Sewell officiating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church until 3:00 p.m.

The family request memorial contributions be made in Jacob's memory to a charity of your choice.