Hiram Martin Hightower

Hiram Martin Hightower, Jr. was born in Plainview, Texas in 1927. He began working at a young age to help feed his large family during the Great Depression. To escape the Dustbowl, the family moved to Merced, California and began growing figs and running a small dairy.He enjoyed several years there, marrying and having two children, Sherrie and Michael, before enlisting in the Army during the Korean War, building runways in France for the Air Force.

After the war, Hiram returned to Merced, where he remarried, this time to his next door neighbor, Augusta Christopher. They moved to the Los Angeles area, where Hiram worked as a truck driver, and Augusta raised four children: Bruce, Daniel, Donna, and Nancy.

Following Augusta’s parents, the family then moved to Tulare, California, where Hiram worked at JD Heiskell Feed Mill as a mill operator for many years, leaving to care for his wife when she became ill.

After Augusta’s death, Hiram eventually moved in with his youngest daughter, Nancy, traveling with her to live in Idaho and Arizona, before returning to California.

Hiram eventually returned to Merced County for his remaining years, spending quality time with generations of his many nieces and nephews.

Hiram “Ace” Hightower is survived by his ex-wife, Jackie Wilson and his children: Sherrie Weigel; Bruce Hightower; Daniel Hightower; Donna Burch; Nancy Hightower, and 14 grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was 93.