Obituary of Joseph Alphonse High

His Legacy… Joseph “Joe” Alphonse High passed away with family by his side in Oroville on November 13, 2020. Joe was born on September 15, 1931 in Glendale, California. He moved to Oroville in 1946 and graduated from Oroville High School in 1949 where he was active in sports and served as senior class president. Following his graduation Joe attended Yuba College and earned a degree in accounting. He played baseball for the college as well as on the Oroville American Legion championship team of 1949 and for the semi-pro Oroville Nuggets in 1950 and 1951. The Nuggets were the Oroville Olives ‘B’ team for one year. He served his country from 1951-1955 in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict aboard the USS Chourre and on Guam. Joe was a natural athlete and continued his love of sports by playing baseball while in the Navy and leading the team in home runs and earning all-league honors. He enrolled at Chico State after his honorable discharge in 1955 and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Education in 1958. While at Chico State he played first base for the baseball team. Additionally, he earned his secondary teaching credential and Master’s Degrees from Chico State. He was awarded a Future Business Leaders of America Grant to Oregon State University in 1976 and earned a second Master’s Degree in vocational education. Joe was one of the first teachers hired at Las Plumas High School where he taught vocational business classes. He served as the Business Department chairman from 1961 until his retirement in 1993. He coached thirty-seven sport seasons including tennis, basketball, and baseball. He taught accounting at Oroville Adult School and business law and business management at Butte College. He also worked in a special program to keep at risk students in high school. Joe received numerous awards including teacher of the year in 1993, Lion of the Year in 1971, and the Coaches Award for dedicated service to athletics in 2004. He was inducted into the Northern California Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and into the OUHSD Hall of Fame in 2012. Once retired Joe stayed active by regularly playing tennis, golf, and bowling. He also did a lot of travelling with his lovely wife Claire and they especially enjoyed cruising and seeing the world. Joe was an incredibly positive person. He always tried to find the good in people and in doing so he helped people discover the good in themselves. His Family… Joe is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Claire, daughters Kathleen Ingram (Dave), Michelle Moseley (Rath), Erica Ingvoldsen (Kyle) and six grandchildren Rath Jr., Kari, Daxton, Emily, Axel, and Trevin. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kari Suzanne, his parents John and Nydia High and brother John High. His Farewell Service… Due to Covid restrictions a private family graveside service is planned. Arrangements are entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.