Tom Hightower obituary

Thomas Reginald Hightower, Sr., of Hot Springs Village, AR, died on Sunday, May 8, 2011, at a local hospital.

He was born in Arcadia, LA, on Sept. 17, 1926. He graduated from Arcadia High School, and entered the U. S. Navy at age 17. During World War II, he saw duty in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. While aboard the USS Vulcan , he served as radio operator and played trumpet in the ship orchestra. He married Mary Eleanor McCarty in 1948 , graduated from Louisiana Tech and began his career as a hospital administrator in 1956, serving at hospitals in Jonesboro, Arcadia and New Iberia, LA. In 1969, he moved to Baton Rouge, LA, to become CEO of Woman’s Hospital. He served there until his retirement in1990, after which he served two years as Executive Vice-President of the Woman’s Hospital Foundation. He served as President of the LA Hospital Assoc, Chairman of the Louisiana Educational Television Authority Board of Trustees, President of the Greater Baton Rouge Safety Council, Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce President and was a member of numerous professional, honorary and social community organizations.

He was a member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church and served on the Administrative Board. Tom was a pilot and loved to fly.

His beloved wife and mother of his three children, Mary Eleanor, died in 1981.

In 1983, he and Mary Elizabeth Baker(MEB) Nordyke were married. She died in 1992. He later married Patricia AnnThomas, who survives him. They moved to Hot Springs Village, AR, in 1995, and became members of the Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines, where he served on several committees and sang in the choir. He was a member of the Hot Springs Concert Band, organized the Village Big Band in which he played trumpet, a member of the Cedar Mountain Singers, Village Chorale, Village Players. He was an active member of the Rotary , Writers and Genealogy Clubs. Music was always an important part of his life, and he played trumpet beautifully and as often as possible.

Tom was a quiet, friendly, talented gentleman. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His family was very precious to him. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 18 years, Patricia; daughters, Rebecca Elizabeth Hightower of Lafayette, LA, and Mary Jane H. Durrett (John Wesley) of Arcadia, LA; a son, Thomas R. Hightower, Jr. (Ann Marie) of Lafayette, LA; a step-son, Jeffrey Gammon of Baton Rouge, LA; a step-daughter, Heidi G. Terrell (C. T.,III) of Senatobia, MS; and a sister, Clara Jane H. Walker of Haynesville, LA. Also surviving him are 10 grandchildren, listed with spouses: Timothy Stewart (James) of Houston, TX, Patrick Stewart (LeAnn) of Plano, TX, Nathan Stewart (Lori) of Prairieville, LA, Andrew Durrett (Kathy) of Shreveport, LA, B Jay Durrett (Melissa) of Ruston, LA, Thomas E.(Ted) Durrett of Baton Rouge, LA, Thomas R. (Trey) Hightower, III (Crystal) of Lafayette, LA, Eleanor H. James (Blair) of Jackson, MS, Charles T. (Tad) Hightower of Baton Rouge, LA, and step grandson Colton Terrell of Senatobia, MS. He delighted in his 9 great-grandchildren: John-Michial, Elizabeth, Adam, Noah, Hayden, Liam, Emma, Conner, and Davis.

Mr. Hightower was preceded in death by his parents, Eula Maud and Reginald Hightower, step-mother Mildred Hightower, wife Mary Eleanor Hightower and wife Mary Elizabeth B. Hightower.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, May 15, 2011, 1:30 PM, at Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines, 272 Asturias Drive, Hot Springs Village, AR, conducted by Rev. Bill Bailey and Rev. Don Trent. Mr. Hightower made the selfless decision that his body be donated to Genesis for Medical Education and Research. Interment in Hightower Family plot, Arcadia, LA, Cemetery at a later date.

The family requests that any memorials be directed to the Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines Memorial Fund, St. Jude‘s Children’s Hospital or Teen Challenge.