Russell R. Hightower (Hartville)'s Obituary
Russell R. Hightower was born in Grovespring, MO in 1927, to Harley and Rushia Hightower, Russell was the 4th child of six. He grew up in the Grovespring area, graduating from Hartville High School and loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing whenever farms chores allowed.
A year after graduation, Russell moved to North Kansas City, MO, where he went to work for Corn Products and soon after, the Phillips Petroleum Company. He met and later married Celeska Hamilton, known as Bonnie, in 1949. Expecting their first child, Linda Gail, Russell was drafted into the Army and sent to serve in the Korean war in 1952. After an honorable discharge, he returned home and in 1954 his son, Ronnie Ray was born. Russell returned to work at Phillips and in 1961, Russell and Bonnie had their 3rd child, Cathy Jean.
Over the next few decades, Russell worked with family to establish a lake home on the Osage arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. Weekends and vacations were spent relaxing and doing what he loved most, fishing.
After 33 ½ years with Phillips, where he primarily worked as a pump mechanic, the refinery in KS was closed and Russell and Bonnie relocated to TX where he continued to work for Phillips at the refinery in Borger, TX. After 37 ½ years with Phillips, he took early retirement. Moving back to MO, Russell and Bonnie settled into retirement at the lake house.
For almost 25 years, Russell enjoyed retirement at the lake. Fishing and boating, the main stays of his time, it seems like he knew everyone in the area. Always willing to help out, Russell’s fingerprint can be found on many homes and docks built in the area. In 2009, Russell and Bonnie relocated to Kearney, MO to be closer to their children. After losing Bonnie in 2010, Russell’s health declining, he moved into a nursing home in 2012. He passed away on March 13, 2015.
Russell is survived by his brother Noel Hightower and wife Eileen of Lebanon, MO, sister Charlene Barclay of Lake Charles, LA, daughter Linda Hightower of Kent, WA, son Ron Hightower and wife Ann of Smithville, MO, daughter Cathy Hightower of Kearney MO, grandson Jason Hightower of St Louis MO and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Hospital, can be sent to HHFH
PO Box 236, Hartville, Mo. 65667
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