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WINSTON SALEM – Andrew Thomas Harper, 48, entered Jesus’ presence on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Andy was born on October 1, 1972 in Forsyth County to Bud and Gaye Thomas Harper. He was originally from Kernersville and a graduate of Kerwin Christian School and attended Wake Forest University as a major in business. After his playing days were over, he returned to Winston-Salem State University to earn a teaching degree. He taught social sciences at Parkland High School, Winston-Salem, for 10 years and currently taught AP World, AP US History, Civic & Economics and Sociology at Kearns Academy, formerly Academy at Central, in High Point, where he had been for the past seven years. Andy gave 100% to every school he served and wanted his students to excel academically and realize their potential for the future. Andy had coached at High Point Central High School, the Golden Spikes 16U at the NC Baseball Academy and the Region 5 Powerade State Games team. In total, Andy coached local baseball for over 30 years, which also included Kernersville Little League, AAU Baseball, Kerwin Christian School, Woodland Christian School, Southwest Guilford High School, Parkland High School and East Forsyth High School. Andy was more than a coach. With his calm and unpretentious disposition and demeanor, he not only inspired his players to reach a high level and develop their skills, he also taught them how to live life and deal with its wide range of daily challenges. . He was a man who lived his life in a way that demonstrated his strong faith in Jesus and humbly shared his faith with others. Andy’s passion for helping children have the opportunity to play baseball and learn valuable life lessons while enjoying the game led him to organize Touch ‘Em All (a nonprofit foundation) which ‘he launched in 2019. He wanted to mentor and help young people who, due to financial barriers, would not have the opportunity to participate or develop and showcase their skills. Andy was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, James E. and Cora S. Thomas, and his paternal grandparents, Andrew G. and Irene M. Harper. Her parents, Bud and Gaye Harper, survive; one brother, Will Harper; one sister, Lori Compton (Scott); lots of special aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews, Harper Compton (Sydney), Weston Compton, Aidan Harper and Jackson Harper; and great-nieces and nephews, Maddie, Hudson and Tinley Compton. Andy is also survived by a host of friends, neighbors and special colleagues including, but not limited to, the Zumwalt family, the Giles family, the Hassebrock family, Kearns Academy, High Point Central High School , Parkland High School and the NC Baseball Academy. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 3, at Truist Point Stadium (home of the High Point Rockers) in High Point. General parking is located at 214 Lindsay Street. This location was chosen because Andy has spent much of his life on a baseball field and the family ask those in attendance to dress as if you are watching a game. The family will receive the friends after the service at the stadium. A private funeral service will be held for the family. Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel helps the Harper family. In lieu of flowers, commemorations can be made at the Touch ‘Em All Foundation at www.2touchemall.com. Online condolences can be sent to the harper family a www.Hayworth-Miller.com.
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