Rev. James Hightower Jr.

HIGHTOWER, Rev. James Jr. - Age 85, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, MI. Family hour 10:00 AM Friday, April 7, 2017 at Second Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 6046 N. Clio Rd., Mount Morris, MI., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Rodney Williams officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy., Mt. Morris, MI, 48458. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Friday. Rev. Hightower will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday. Rev. James Hightower, Jr. was born October 18, 1931 in England, Arkansas to James E. and Edna Lee Hightower Sr.. James moved to Peoria, Illinois and was baptized at a young age and knew the Lord. His love for God never waivered as he sang, prayed and preached the Word. After moving to Flint, Michigan to work for AC Spark Plug in the 1950’s, he joined the Mighty Winds spiritual singing group. In 1963, he was ordained to preach after being under the leadership of the late Reverend L.W. Owens at True Light Missionary Baptist Church. This ministry was the birthplace for New Jerusalem Baptist Church and a lifelong friendship with the late Bishop Odis A. Floyd. James was well known for singing “Jesus, Sweeter Than Honey”, his boisterous preaching style and powerful baptisms. Rev. Hightower was affiliated with many churches in the Flint area including, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Second Friendship Missionary Baptist and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. James loved to work on cars and drive charter buses. He retired from AC Spark Plug, a division of General Motors after 30 years. In 1983, he was married to Jerry Lee Walker. Rev. James Hightower, Jr. leaves to cherish in his memory: daughters, Claudia “Nina” Dixon and Wanda Faye Harris; grandchildren, Contisa and Daquin Hightower, Mia A. Harris, all of Flint and Shawn D. Harris of Texas; a host of great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sharon (Rick) Bonner of Swartz Creek, MI, Rose (David) Latchison of Fenton, MI and Evelyn Warren of Jacksonville, FL; five brothers, Calvin (Pamela) Hightower of Shreveport, LA, Frank Hightower of California, Dennis Hightower of Flint, Edward Hightower of Peoria, IL and Michael (Sheryl) Hightower of Clio, MI; a host of nieces and nephews; especially Gail Hightower of Las Vegas, NV; James also leaves behind close friend, Joyce Johnson and many others who loved and adored him. Rev. Hightower was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jerry Lee Hightower; daughter, Deborah Hightower; grandson, Jaquos Hightower; parents, James E. Sr. and Edna L. Hightower; sisters, Donna Fleming, Edna Turner, Shirley Porter; brothers, Jessie Hightower, Robert Hightower and Johnnie Hightower. The family would like to extend a very special hand of thanks to the staff at Genesys Regional Medical Center, Dr. Linda Norrell, Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, Pastor Rodney Williams, Sr. and the Second Friendship Missionary Baptist Church family as well as all others who prayed and supported through this rough time.

Rev. James Hightower Jr.

October 18, 1931 - March 30, 2017