Memorial Service
Northeast Bible Church-
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Email Details
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19185 FM 2252
Garden Ridge, TX 78266
1935
Freddie
2017
Freddie Hightower
October 4, 1935 — April 23, 2017
Freddie Eugene Hightower was born at home near Swiss Alp, Texas on October 4, 1935 to Fred E. Hightower and Lillie Kahanek-Hightower. As the oldest son, Freddie began life in this small farming community located about seven miles north of Schulenburg, Texas off Hwy 77 north. It was his early years that gave him the love of family, community, the land, and hunting fishing, camping, and exploring in the great outdoors.
Freddie began his education in a small two room school house up until the sixth grade. He then moved up to attend the seventh through twelfth grade at Schulenburg High School. During these years Freddie was very active mastering the skills that would help ensure his success in the future. Freddie played all sports in high school. He was on the All District football team 2 years and the All District Basketball team 2 years. Freddie was voted Most Valuable Football Player in 1952. Then in 1953, all of his hard work and efforts were rewarded when he graduated, voted Most Popular Boy and received a four year full scholarship in football at Texas Lutheran College (TLC now T.L.U.) in Seguin, Texas. While attending TLC, he lettered in football four years, track three years and tennis three years. In 1954, Freddie was selected to the Associated Press Little All American Football team and in 1956 he was voted Homecoming King. It was during this period a unique brotherhood of football players was formed, "The Kramer Boys", named after the coach that so profoundly changed all of their lives and this is when he became "Fearless Fred". Even more profound, it was during these same years he met the best thing that ever happened to him, Marjorie Ann Hightower, a smart quiet beauty majoring in biology from Texas City, Texas.
1957 was a good year, Freddie graduated from T.L.C. with a B.S. degree, and he was offered a tryout with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League which he turned down so he could marry his college sweetheart Marjorie Ann Rousculp-Hightower on August 24, 1957. Shortly after he signed a coaching contract with Marble Falls High School. This is also when Freddie became Fred.
Fred began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Marble Falls High School and Eagle Lake High School then moving to Calallen High School in Corpus Christi as head football coach and Athletic Director. In 1962, He was given the opportunity to move up to the college coaching level. He accepted and excelled as an assistant football coach at Texas Lutheran College, his Alma mater, for two years. Then in 1964 he became the head football coach and a first time father on February 10 to Lance A. Hightower. These were the years that Fred's love for his new family, golf and dogs began. After several successful years at Texas Lutheran College, in 1969, Fred was once again given an opportunity to grow when he became an assistant football coach at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
In Stillwater, Fred was not only blessed with more advancement but on June 26, 1971 was blessed by the arrival of his beautiful daughter, Tamara Lynn Hightower-Lovelady.
In 1972, once again, Fred was given the opportunity for more success by moving up once more. This time far north to the professional level with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. After several successful years in the professional ranks he made another giant step in his life and career and decided to leave his coaching passion for greener pastures in the realm of education and a more focused time with family. During a large portion of his coaching career he had the honor of scouting for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League from 1966 to 1976 (Landry years). Later in life, Fred would be honored as an inductee into the Texas Lutheran College Hall of Fame in 1987.
In 1976 - 1979, Fred utilized the Masters in Secondary Education from Southwest Texas University as a Principal in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City School District in Schertz, Texas.
In 1979, once again, Fred made another career change utilizing all of his professional and personal experiences to begin his success in the business world as a salesman with Herff Jones Co.; Balfour Co.; Newsfoto Publishing Co.; Taylor Publishing Co.; and finally Inter-State Studio Publishing Co. selling scholastic products to all levels of primary and secondary education, grade school to colleges both private and public. After many years of success and developing untold friendships and memories Fred retired from his professional life in 2013 to spend quality time with the family and friends that he loved. Fred was a man who was a great listener, worked hard, enjoyed life and the outdoors, loved to laugh, and deeply loved the people he was surrounded by.
Fred was and is a believer in Jesus Christ, who from a young age put his trust and faith in Him. He spent his life following his Lord and growing in his faith. He was an example and encourager of the body that he loved, cared for and nurtured. He was a deacon and head usher at Northeast Bible Church in Garden Ridge, Texas for twenty - five years where he was very involved in Bible study and Sunday school. In 2014, He proudly joined the Gideon's International brotherhood.
On Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the age of 82 Freddie Eugene Hightower went home to be with his Savior resting in His loving arms.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred E. Hightower and Lillie Kahanek, and his sister Caroline Hightower. Fred is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie Ann Rousculp-Hightower; his sister, Dolly Hightower-Joseph; his brother, James Hightower; his son, Lance A. Hightower & daughter-in-law, Dixie A Perkins-Hightower; his daughter, Tamara L. Hightower-Lovelady & son-in-law, Phillip G Lovelady; 6 grandchildren, Amanda Hightower-Castro, Conner Hightower, Hannah Hightower, Lillian Hightower, Zoe Lovelady, Jacob Lovelady, and many more of his extended family.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at Northeast Bible Church, 19185 FM 2252, Garden Ridge, Texas 78226.
In lieu of flowers, please make all donations to:
The Gideons International
San Antonio Northeast Camp
P.O. Box 2192
Universal City, Texas 78148-2192
"In Honor and Memory of Fred E Hightower"
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