of Little Rock, AR
August 19, 1936 - November 13, 2022
Don Alfred Hightower, age 86, passed away November 13, 2022. He was born in Gillett, Arkansas to Alfred Cullen and Sibyl Youngblood Hightower.
After high school, he attended Southern State College (now SAU). During the summers, he worked the wheat harvest in Kansas and surrounding areas. After college, he went to work for ISO (Insurance Service Office) in 1960 in Little Rock, where he worked for 36 years. He served on the Shannon Hills Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, retiring as Captain. At the age of 72, he and his oldest grandson entered Pulaski Tech and got a degree in aviation maintenance.
He was a pilot for many years until health prevented him from flying. He held his private, commercial and ground school license. He was a member of AOPA, EAA and Cessna owners.
He loved hunting with his brother, grandsons and son-in-law on the farm in Gillett. He was a member of TPA and lifetime member of NRA. He attended the Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents and sister, Ann Harmon. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris; a daughter, Cynthia Skinner (Bill); two grandsons, Trey Skinner (Sue) and Casey Don Skinner; a granddaughter, Amanda Hill (David) all of Little Rock; one great-granddaughter, Samantha Kay Skinner; two step-grandchildren, Robert Skinner (Crystal), Brenda Duggins (John); one step-great grandson, Jonathan Duggins and one step-granddaughter, Brooklyn Duggins; one brother, Ray Hightower (Kathy) of Little Rock; two sisters, Alberta Pearson of Little Rock and Hazel Wilding of Washington and a host of nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be 3:00 P.M. Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209.
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12 Condolence(s)
Annette Rickard
Saturday, November 19, 2022
It made me sad to see that Don had passed away. I worked with him at the Bureau (ISO) for three years and after that from The St. Paul. Don was always smiling and planning some kind of joke just to see my reaction. I remember his story about duck hunting with Orval Adair, Orval was on his shoulders while Don was wading, it was Orvals Job to keep the guns dry. I don't remember if they fell in. Orval sat next to me and kept up stories too when they were not out working. That was 1963-66.
I saw Don now and then after that, and always enjoyed being his friend. I know his family will be missing him for every event in their lives. Annette Rickard
David and Rowena Meador
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Doris and family we are sorry for your loss. Don and I were college room mates for 2 years at SAU.
Regina Britt Lindsey
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Doris, Cindy, and family,
Daddy (Grandon) and I were so sorry to hear about Don. Daddy has great memories of talking “airplanes†with Don. We will be praying for you all.
Grandon Britt and Regina Britt Lindsey
Ken Partridge
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
RIP BROTHER, it was an honor to work with you for our ISO ratings. A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SACRIFICES AND SERVICES TO THE FIRE SERVICE.
Cathy Alley
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Mrs. Skinner,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Cathy Alley
Sharri Bearden stewart
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
I’m so sorry for your loss. Spent many MANY years playing at your house. Remember very well your parents taking us in a ride in his plane over the lake and your dad getting a big kick out of putting his hands behind his head for a moment and laughing so hard after seeing my scared face thinking he wasn’t steering the plane. (I did not know you can steer with your feet too).
Great memories. He was a good man. I know he will be missed. Love to your family. â¤ï¸
Hazel Wilding
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Goodbye my brother Don. I know you are flying free forever now. I can still hear the sound of those model airplane engines you ran all the time when you were a teenager. The whole town could hear them.
My heart goes out to you, Doris, Cindy, Trey, Casey, Amanda. Hold all those memories close. They are your treasures now.
Baby sister, Hazel
Vickie McDonald Randall
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Prayers for your family Cindy. We loved the years we spent as neighbors. A lot of great memories.
Trudy and Mike Ray
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Sorry for your loss and may the Lord give you and your family comfort at this time of sorrow.
Jan Hill
Monday, November 14, 2022
Deepest condolences to your family.
Kimberly Agee Brand
Monday, November 14, 2022
Doris, Cindy and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I have SO many great memories with your family. Don was a wonderful man, larger than life in my young eyes. Cindy, remember flying to Bald Knob with our dads, picking strawberries, flying back eating foot long chili dogs which Don had a great time doing aerobatics trying to get us to spill them on ourselves! Unforgettable fun times camping at Greers Ferry and watching Hee Haw on Saturday nights while Don grilled us the best steaks! We didn’t know how spoiled we were! Praying for peace and comfort for you. Don, thanks for the part you played in my blessed childhood!
Susan Johnson
Monday, November 14, 2022
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hightower only once, at his granddaughter, Amanda’s, wedding. But, I knew his character and devotion to faith and family by what he instilled in his daughter, Cynthia Skinner, my friend.
My heartfelt condolences to all the family.