James Thomas Rawleigh

HIGH POINT, NC-- James Thomas Rawleigh, 58, of High Point, NC, died on Friday, November 24, 2006 after a long illness.Mr. Rawleigh was born in Chicago, IL and lived most of his life in High Point. He attended Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ and Asheville School in Asheville, NC and graduated from High Point Central High School. He later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Rawleigh served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Farragut and the U.S.S. Hugh Purvis.After returning to High Point, he worked as a Corporate Calling Officer for Wachovia Bank. In 1977, Mr. Rawleigh retired from Wachovia due to his illness. In the following years, he contributed greatly to the community of High Point, participating in many civic causes. He was deeply devoted to the Hospice organization and was instrumental in creating the Hospice of the Piedmont Chapter. In 1990, the James Thomas Rawleigh Distinguished Service Award was established, honoring individuals making a substantial contribution to Hospice of the Piedmont. He was the first recipient of this award. Mr. Rawleigh created a Multiple Sclerosis support group in the Triad area and was an active participant in Volunteers to the Court. Mr. Rawleigh was an accomplished artist, and a collection of his work, entitled "The Spirit of Tom Rawleigh, a Retrospective," was selected by the High Point Area Arts Council and exhibited in the local Holt-McPherson Gallery.He is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Lillian Jordan Rawleigh of Spartanburg, SC; his daughters, Elizabeth Rawleigh Phillips of Spartanburg, SC and Emily Booker Rawleigh Faulkner of Arlington, VA and sons-in-law Michael Barrett Phillips and Charles Stephen Faulkner IV; his mother, Florence Booker Rawleigh of Louisville, KY; his sister, Elizabeth Rawleigh Forbush of Lutherville, MD; his brother, Michael Kean Rawleigh of Gettysburg, PA; two granddaughters, Lillian Grace Phillips and Elizabeth Rawleigh Phillips of Spartanburg, SC; and his loyal nurse, Joann Proctor of Thomasville, NC. He is predeceased by his father, James Nester Rawleigh, Jr.Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 1:00 PM in Sunset Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Neil M. Yongue, Jr. presiding. The family will receive friends following the service at graveside.In lieu of flowers, memorials in remembrance of Mr. Rawleigh may be sent to Hospice of the Piedmont at 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262; or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 733 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.lanforddunbar.com.Dunbar Funeral Home& CrematoryPaid Funeral Notice