Sean Ira Highley

Sean Ira Highley, 56, resident of Maple Valley, Washington, passed peacefully while sleeping on September 3, 2020. He was born June 7, 1964 in his father’s hometown, East Peoria, Illinois. When Sean was 3, the family made a permanent move to San Diego, California, his mother’s hometown.

Sean’s high school job at Copy World piqued his interest in the printing industry. It also introduced him to his life-long best friend, Charlie. He began his professional career at Xerox. In 1993 he jumped at the opportunity to move to Las Vegas to set up the copying and printing facilities at the newly constructed MGM Grand Hotel. Sean loved living in Las Vegas, largely because of his Xerox ‘family’ and his other close friends.

After 20 years in Las Vegas, Sean gave his sister the gift of moving to the Seattle area on her birthday. By then all his family was living in the Pacific Northwest. In 2017, Sean took an early retirement from Xerox and enjoyed a year of sheer relaxation. He then tried on a few different jobs before settling happily with HP as a Business Manager for Graphic Solutions.

Sean enjoyed his work. He valued his relationships with co-workers and clients and managed to retain a positive attitude in the most challenging situations. Sean even enjoyed making cold calls! He often was promoted and recognized for his accomplishments. During his time at Xerox, Sean and his team won many accolades and were rewarded with travel opportunities, including trips to Dublin, London, and Monaco.

Sean was a bachelor with a large wide-ranging community of dear friends and family. Distance was no problem – it is the digital age! Sean cherished his godchildren, nieces, nephew, and two great nephews. He is survived by his parents, Ira Highley and Carole Mills Highley; his sister, Lori Highley Christian and her family; and his brother, Daniel Stephen Highley and his family. Aunts, uncles, and cousins join us in mourning his passing.

Sean was a fan of 60’s music, the San Diego Padres, and the San Diego Chargers. He laughed at The Three Stooges and Rodney Dangerfield. His favorite entertainers were Howard Stern and Elvis Presley. Sean read widely and had a particular interest in history and politics. His house was wired, his TV was streaming, and Sean was always up on the latest technology. His most treasured possession was the 1976 Corvette Stingray he gave himself for his 50th birthday.

Sean never did anything by halves. When he decided to become a vegan, he got a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell. Sean’s family and friends could absolutely rely on him when they needed anything. He was a go-to guy. Sean lived his life with gratitude, presence, commitment, and a dry wicked sense of humor.

The family is planning, at a date to be announced, to invite family and friends to join in a “Zoom Memorial Celebration of Sean’s Life”. Memorial contributions can be made to the Kidney Foundation (Sean was a 33-year survivor of a kidney transplant), or to a charity near to your own heart. And please, in Sean’s memory, become an organ donor if you have not already.