Donald Hightower

The friends and family of Don Hightower will be honoring him with a celebration of his life on Tuesday, Sept 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Melrose, NM with Dr. Joseph Bunce officiating.

Don was blessed with 83 plus years of great living on earth. He was born on December 21, 1938 in Melrose to Gilbert and Hazel “Sis” Hightower. He attended Melrose Schools and graduated in 1956. He truly loved Melrose and dedicated a large part of his life to service in that community. He was a long time member of Melrose First Baptist Church.

After returning from the Navy where he served our country from September 11, 1956 to September 21, 1959 he made his home in Melrose where he resided until his recent illness. He married the love of his life, Sue Lockett on Dec 21, 1961. They were married for 56 years before Sue’s passing in 2018. They had two daughters, Brenda Hightower Wilson and Pamela Hightower. He had much love for his family.

Don attended barber school and was a barber in Melrose for many years. He gave many haircuts and straight razor shaves!! Later he added a western wear store and boot repair to his barber business. He served on the Melrose Volunteer Fire Department for many years, taking on the duty as Melrose Fire Chief during a portion of those years. He served on the Melrose School Board and volunteered his time working Melrose track meets, the NMAA State Track and Field meets and working at the scorer’s table for all the Melrose Buffalo home games. Don and the Melrose bench crew were honored by the NMAA for their continued service to athletics in the Melrose community. In 1978 he began work as a rural mail carrier in the Melrose/House area until he retired in 2008. In addition to delivering mail, he farmed wheat and milo in the Melrose area. He served as a volleyball official for 10 years and made many new friends in that avenue.

Don was an avid sports fan and followed Brenda and Pamela to all their high school sporting events and then to their respective college games as well. He wore the Melrose Buffalo hat with pride and joy.

His real joy in life came when the grandkids arrived: Tanner Hightower Wilson, Tyler Hightower Wilson (Elexus) and Halli Hightower Wilson. What fun he and Sue had with the grandkids. So many family vacations, Hobbs Eagle, NMMI and ENMU sporting events, teaching them to drive while working on the farm, teaching them to country western dance…..Endless fun!

Don loved his annual fishing trips with the men of the First Baptist Church and monthly poker nights with his friends. His life was filled with many, many great friends and adventures.

Don leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, pride, honor within his children, grandchildren, great grandchild (Hudson) that he and Sue created over a lifetime in Melrose.

Pallbearers are Melrose fishing buddies and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requests that memorial donations be made to the Melrose High School All-Sports Booster Club at 100 East Missouri Melrose, NM 88124 or Venmo @MelroseBoosters