I see a lot of people from Leyte gulf commenting here. We loved you so much Greg. I am so heart broken you were so young and kind. You kept secrets I have never told anyone. I still can't believe it. I see your face in my mind like it was yesterday. Like I said before, you are now walking with angels in the house of The Lord. We are so blessed to have known you and I can never forget you.
Love Eternity
Monika (Medina) Shaikh

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Everyone hit the mark when they made comments on how you affected their lives. I was very fortunate to be your first mentor in the fleet and had a direct impact on your career. I had the pleasure in watching you grow in your knowledge and eventually surpass me. Something any teacher would love to see with their student. Of the 20 years I spent in the military you were one of the few i ever invited into my life and house. You were always gracious and humble. You had the biggest heart of anyone I ever knew. I miss you brother.

Hightower, I can't believe that your time here has come up. I am proud to have served and be mentored by you my time in the navy. All ghe time we were friends I can say you were a man I looked up to. I alwAys wanted and hoped you would be proud of the man I have become. You will forever be missed and I will forever remember your friend ship, it was a pleasure to have served and have you as a DC brother

It seems like yesterday when I proudly served onboard the USS Leyte Gulf with you. I learned allot then what type of man you were. You inspired me to do better & you told me to never give up on love. If it weren't for you I wouldn't be married to the love of my life and bless with seven beautiful children. God has received another angel in Heaven. You will forever be in my heart and truly be missed my friend.

Gentle & humble, joyful with grace, Thank you for your sincerity, for your smile & praise. Now an angel in heaven you're home and safe, we we're blessed with your presence in our Navy Days. Say hi to God our maker & may you rest in peace Mister!

Just found out about your passing. Had the pleasure of meeting you onboard the USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55). Good morale and a smile. Remember telling me to smile and time will fly.... May You Rest In Peace, you are relieved from your watch....

I can't remember a time when you weren't smiling Greg, always willing to help everybody out...You affected more than you'll  ever know, and you will be missed, my brother....

Just found out.....my heart is heavy! Greg, I remember the times we had our talks about our careers and where we thought we would be in years to come.  You were such a special person during my time on the "Double-Nickel" I will cherish the time that I had knowing you. You will forever be missed my brother. Until we meet again. ONE!

Words cant express how heavy my heart is right now. You are will always be remembered as a great and humble friend never said anything mean to anyone. God kingdom really gained another Angel. REST IN PEACE shipmate.

Greg, I am really at a lost for words. I remember the days we served together on the Leyte Gulf, and how much attention to detail you put into everything. As a young sailor we all watched how you did EVERYTHING to the best of your ability. You always did and said the RIGHT things even when there wasnt anybody watching or listening. You will truly be missed my brother and I will catch up with you on the other side may God hold you close in his eternity.

Greg,

I just found out today that you are gone and I am heartbroken. You were one of my favorite people on the Leyte Gulf, always so happy and upbeat. I fondly remember listening to Al Green with you on the barge when the ship was in dry dock. I can see from the guest book entries that you have touched so many lives. The world has suffered a huge loss with you passing.

Greg,

I have so many memories of you my friend. I still can't believe you are no longer with us. You memory will forever live on through your friends and family. You are truly missed!

You watched over me as a young seaman onboard the USS LEYTE GULF. Always someone I could come and talk to. When I left you were one of the few I kept in touch with and I cherished the friendship that you gave me. You will be missed.

Greg, as I woke this morning, I was hoping that what I had last night was a nightmare finding out about your passing, but unfortunately is true that you're no longer with us. I recall being a 2nd class and you were a fireman, and you and Charlie quickly catch up with me before I left the Leyte Gulf (CG-55). The last time we saw each other, you were very excited about your orders to Japan, and your dream of having a Japanese wife and kids because you love Japan before even gone there, as you told me"I'm gonna have some blackanese kids". Our last exchange of messages via navytogetherweserved.com, you encourage me to continue pressing on in making chief, because you made and I was stuck in my rate as a 1st class still, and ready to retired as such. Well Greg;  I didn't make to the CPO mess, but I didn't give up as you told me. But I was so looking forward to see you again and meet your Japanese family. I guess our meeting will be up there brother, I'm right behind you...rest in peace!

You will be missed. You made an impact on every life you touched.

Greg I had the great pleasure of serving with you onboard the USS Leyte Gulf. You always set the tone on how to be a great sailor a great person and so much more. Rest in Paradise my friend.

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

I am devistated. He was such a good kind caring fellow. May he rest in peace with our lord and his angels.

My friend hightower,
I just found out today that you were gone. I wish I knew sooner. As a first class, I admired your belief in standing up for what is right.  After i made chief, you were one of the few who truly accepted me into the mess and encouraged to keep going. That inspired me a lot and it gave me hope to move forward. I thank you for being my friend and my brother in arms. I will never forget a good friend.  May God keep you in his arms and his son Jesus Christ always embrace you. PS: i used to see you attend the church service while at sea and that alone reminded me that i need God to be in my life too. My friend, i wish you calm seas and fair winds. May God bless you and your family my friend .

Chief, You were a great person and worked hard. You stood above the norm because of your work ethics. Anyone could approach you even if it was just to talk about the day. It's sad to see a fellow shipmate pass on to another life. May God rest your soul and may God bless your family.

For you Daddy,

I can't believe I'm writing this but I have no choice
I can't tell you this to your face where you can hear my voice
This is the only way I can express how I feel
You were taken from me and the feeling is surreal
Future plans that we made will now have to wait
Because you have a date with God and can't be late
You taught me so much I don't even know where to start
But how can I go on with my heart ripped apart
I can't lie to you and say everything will be okay
Then again maybe it will because I have your DNA
You always told me that I could be anything
So I bet you wondered why I became a marine
I wanted something different and it's a good bar setter
I always wanted to be like you but I also wanted to be better
You're an amazing person and lord knows I'm right
That's why you were taken from me in the middle of the night
I thank you for the good times because that's what matters most
And I'll honor you in memory so consider this a toast
I've learned a valuable lesson and that's a person's worth
You never truly know how much someone means to you until they leave this Earth
I'll never forget how you raised me like a son and a brother
You can tell we weren't normal the way we insulted each other
This pain burns like fire but the flames can't be doused
I'll continue to be strong since I'm the man of the house
All I have is love to guide me so I'll let that pave the way
Well also a bunch of family and friends who will brighten up my day
I know it was your time to go but that's hard to understand
I can't wait until the day when I can see you again, amen

Greg I truly was in shock to hear of your passing. You are by far one of the best people I had the privilege to serve with during my career. I hope that you are now at peace and may God always keep you close. Your Friend and your Brother always.

Greg,

You are one of the few people that helped make life bearable while we were stationed on the USS Harpers Ferry together. God only knows how much I appreciated your friendship. You will surely be missed!

Greg,
How does one say goodbye to a good friend?  You were a Father, a Brother and an Uncle and much more. I will cherish the times we had together onboard USS George Washington, your smile, your laugh and the talks we had especially when things got rough, you always come to my office and all I would have to do is just sit and listen and let you talk your piece. We will never know why you are not here with us anymore, we loved you but Jesus loves you best "Good Night my brother sleep on and take your rest". I pray you are now at peace May Your Soul Now Rest in Peace. I am and will always be your sister in Christ.

Chief,
You have help guide so many of us and you will never ever be forgotten. We will never forget everything you did for us. I was in shock when I got the news of your passing you will forever be with us as we part from the USS George Washington and continue with our lives. We will miss you to us you will always be our chief.

Chief, I still remember the first day me and combs checked in on the USS George Washington. We mustered with our brand new bootcamp coveralls and blue hats. Right after quarters the first thing you did was give us out red hats and gold flash hoods. I wore that hat and flash hood for a good year until I went cranking and some CS took it. You were a great chief and taught me a lot. Thank you so much for everything.

Greg,
  My friend, my brother... I am overcome with grief to know about you passing away.  My son was honored to meet you just before your passing. I was honored to serve with you on USS Leyte Gulf.  You will be missed and God has a new angel.

It was a great time to work along side you inboard USS George Washington thank you for all your wisdom and everything you taught me and all the good times I will never forget you smile and the little rants you would have about the little things thank you chief and RIP

It was a privilege working with you onboard the USS George Washington. Your wisdom and enthusiasm helped many of us and I will always remember your smile that brought joy to everyone.

I have so many great times with you chief killing times during COs calls working along side you and your long winded rants about how things should be better around the ship you have taught me a lot and you got me my crows you also showed me that I was worth more to the navy then I thought I can never replace the great times thank you so much Greg

chief we all loved you so much! no matter what I was going through on the ship you helped me realize that there was always a positive side to my problems. You were a great leader. You made us all laugh with your old school jokes and personality...we will miss you.

Greg, I was not ready to say good bye to you so soon...but I know you are in a better place now. You will always be in my heart, thank you for being kind, caring and just being you. Rest in peace my friend!

Thank you, Greg. You taught us all so much onboard the USS George Washington. You are at peace now, so I hope your soul rests at ease.

OBITUARY

Gregory James Hightower Sr.

August 5, 1963 – February 12, 2013

Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery

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