Dr. Michael Barry Hightower, 80, of Fort Smith, passed away Monday, October 17th, 2016. He was born October 14th, 1936 in Midland, AR. He graduated from Hartford High School in 1954. He then enrolled at the University of Arkansas in the fall of 1954 and attended the University thru his junior year. He signed up for the Army to serve six months of active duty and 5 1/2 years of active reserve. He then returned to the University of Arkansas in the fall of the next year and received his Bachelor’s Degree in the spring of 1959. In the fall of 1959, he was hired at Mansfield to teach junior high science, biology and civics. Two years later, he accepted the job of High School Principal at Lavaca and stayed there for three years.
During the summers at Mansfield and Lavaca, he was able to take advantage of a program for high school teachers, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and took courses at the University of Arkansas. In January of 1964, he received a Master’s degree in Natural Science. In the fall of 1964, he was hired at UAFS/Fort Smith Junior College to teach various biology courses. In 1966, he became chairman of the Natural Science Department. In 1970, he took a sabbatical leave from College and moved to Houston where he enrolled at the University of Houston earning a Phd. in vertebrate zoology. Upon his return to Fort Smith, the College had done some reorganization and he was appointed chairman of the Math, Science and Engineering Division, a position he held until 1995. In 1995, he was appointed Vice President for Instruction at UAFS/Westark College. He retired from that position and from the College in 1998.
Besides teaching, Mike had a lifelong love of books and owned the Garrison Avenue store, Alpha Books, for 20 years. He spent those years selling used, vintage and rare books. He specialized in books about the history of the Fort Smith area.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marc Boss and Laura Louise; brother, David Hightower; sister, Carol Rogers and sister, Mary Ellen Britt.
Funeral service will be Monday at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Greenwood, AR with burial to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Midland, AR under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gale Hightower; one daughter, Gina Martin (Peter Martin) of Kansas City, MO; two sons, Brian Hightower (Stacy) of Fort Smith and Kelly Hightower (Samantha Irwin) of Fort Smith; his siblings, Perry Hightower (Ok Soon) of Oklahoma City, OK, Patricia Evans of Kiowa, OK, Jean McNamara of Jonesboro, AR, Elizabeth Hightower (Bob Brewer) of Alpine, TX, Kenneth Hightower (Carolyn) of McAlester, OK, Anthony Hightower (Elaine) of Lewisville, TX and Cassandra Douglas of Denton, TX; four grandchildren, Stan Soultaire (Jennifer) of Fort Smith, AR, Julia Hightower of Fort Smith, AR, Jennifer Hightower and Jordan Hightower both of Fort Smith, AR and two great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Rocky Walker, Aaron Wirth, Dr. Cole Johnson, Matthew Utz, Dr. Phillip Monroe and Dr. George Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be past Professors of the Math, Science and Engineering Division of UAFS/Westark.
The family will visit with friends Sunday afternoon from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the UAFS/Westark Foundation in honor of Dr. Hightower, 5210 Grand Ave., PO Box 3649, Fort Smith, AR 72913. To place online tributes, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
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