Marion Hightower

Marion Hightower, 82, died at his home on Wednesday. July 16. Mr. Hightower was born in Albany, Texas, in October, 1925, and came to Hobbs with his parents in 1930 at the age of five. He gradushy;ated from Hobbs High School in 1943 and joined the U.S. Navy in December of the same year. He served aboard the USS ESSEX CV-9 until the end of the war. The Essex was an aircraft carrier that saw action in the South Pacific, being involved in action at IwoJima and other important milshy;itary campaigns of the Pacific Theatre. Following his disshy;charge in 1946, he returned to Hobbs briefly; then left to purshy;sue a higher education. He received a bachelor's degree in business from Texas Tech in 1950. He later received a masshy;ter's degree in business adminshy;istration from Eastern New Mexico University.

After spending 17 years as a sales representative to various oilileld companies, including Latin Industries, Mr. Hightower established his own business, Pumping Unit Services, and was well known and respected in that area of oilfield service. He also estabshy;lished and operated the Garden of Eden, a plant nursshy;ery.

Marion and Mary Salazar were married March 21, 2003. She survives him, as do four sons, Mike and Tim Hightower of Albuquerque, Dr. Stephen Hightower of Round Rock, Texas, and Joe Salazar of Princeton, N.C., and a daughshy;ter, Terry Cantu of Hobbs. Also surviving him are a brother, Bobbe Hightower of Granbury, Texas; a very speshy;cial sister, Rosie Head Gallegos of Artesia; and an aunt, Joan Cross of Ft. Worth. Twenty-two grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren also survive him.

Viewing will take place at Chapel of Hope between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 6:30 p.m. Rosary will be led by Rev. Deacon Sam Navarrette at 7:15 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Pedro Valdez officiating.

Military Honor Guard and Rites of Committal will follow at Prairie Haven Cemetery.

Services are under the direcshy;tion of Chapel of Hope

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, July 18, 2008
4:00 6:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso St.
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, July 18, 2008
6:30 p.m.

Rosary

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso St.
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, July 18, 2008
7:15 p.m.

Mass

Our Lady Of Guadalupe
914 S Selman Street
Hobbs, NM  88240
Saturday, July 19, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Prairie Haven Memorial Park
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240