John Robert Hightower Jr.

He grew up in Salida, Colorado with mountains, family, plenty of time spent out with horses, and a nurtured love of God in the Church of Christ. He was married to Jessica Erin Mosby on July 4th, 1999. In the Spring of 1999 he started attending Florida College and became part of the Forensics team, where he would go on to receive multiple awards, some being of international recognition. In May of 2003 he received a Bachelors in Liberal Studies from Florida College with magna cum laude. Johnny went on to attend law school at Georgetown University from 2004 to 2007. He would become affiliated with the Georgetown Journal of International Law, Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot - Hong Kong, Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court, Criminal Justice Clinic, and have a role as a law extern in the U.S. House of Representatives. He would go on to work in the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s office before entering into more trial work in Tampa. His quest for knowledge continued as he attended Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in 2012 and gained a credential with the Oxford Fintech Program in 2018. All whilst honing his skills in Trial, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Litigation, and Appeals cases. His law career was expansive and meticulously grown; however, he shared a love for history, acting, film, comics, and travel. Johnny showcased his love for acting with roles in several smaller independent projects such as “No One Doubts The Camera Eye,” “The Invisible Man” web series, and “Trunk.” In the early 2000s he took up a role in the play “Macbeth” as Macduff with the City of Miami and ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ company. A nomad of sorts, his love of travel led him to see Russia, Germany, Italy, Scotland, the U.K., Hong Kong, Sarajevo, Morocco, and all around the U.S. All the while playing a large and impactful role in the lives of family and friends around him.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Jessica Hightower; his daughter, Victoria Hightower; son, Johann Hightower; parents, Melissa and John Robert Hightower Sr.; maternal grandmother, Jean Hogan; and brothers, Joshua Hightower (Gosia), Jacob Hightower (Jordan) and Noah Hightower (Savanna).

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024, 10 A.M., at Temple Terrace Church of Christ, 8001 Temple Terrace Hwy, Temple Terrace, FL 33637, followed by a memorial service beginning at 11 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to Moffitt Cancer Center.