Deward Hightower

Dr. D. Earl Hightower, 78 of Jefferson died Friday afternoon, December 31, at the Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC after a month-long illness. Dr. Hightower was born August 15, 1926. The son of the late Deward Earl and Eva Windham Hightower of Reynolds, Georgia, he served in World War II as an aviation cadet. He graduated from the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine, DVM Cum Laude in 1950. Dr. Hightower moved to Ashe County in 1950 to practice veterinary medicine. In 1986 Dr. Hightower retired from active practice. He was active in state veterinary and wildlife associations. He served as president of the local Wildlife Association, director of the NC Wildlife Association, and was honored as a recipient of the NC Wildlife Federation Award. Dr. Hightower was involved in many civic and community affairs. He was mayor of Jefferson for 13 years. He was a member of the Jefferson Town Board. He was a strong supporter of the Ashe Memorial Hospital Board where he also a member of the executive committee. He was a faithful member of the Jefferson Rotary Club where he served as past president and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He also was a member of the local Airport Authority Dr. Hightower has been a faithful member of the Jefferson United Methodist Church since 1956.

Dr. Hightower is survived by his wife; Mrs. Jennie Clyde Worth Hightower of the home, one son: Joe Hightower of Cary, NC, one daughter: Emily Johnston of Greensboro, NC, two grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services for Dr. Hightower will be conducted Monday Morning at 11:00 at the Jefferson United Methodist in Jefferson, NC by the Church pastor, Rev. Dr. Keith Franklin and the Rev. Dr. John Lewis. Burial will follow in the Jefferson City Cemetery. The Family will receive friends on Sunday evening 6:00-9:00 at the Badger funeral Home in West Jefferson, NC.

The family request that memorials be made to the Jefferson United Methodist Church PO Box 236 Jefferson, NC 28640, or Ashe Hospital Foundation 200 Hospital Ave. Jefferson, NC 28640 or the Christian Veterinary Mission 19303 Fremont Ave. North Seattle, WA 98133-0166.

Send condolences to the family by visiting our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com

Badger Funeral Home in West Jefferson is in charge of the arrangements.