Randy E. Hightower, age 59 of Wanette, passed away Friday, April 18, 2014 at St. Anthony Hospital in Shawnee.

Randy was born on August 26, 1954, the second child of Laymon and Chloe Ann Hightower.

He was born in Childress, Texas.

During his early years he helped on the family farm and helped do what chores he could. The family lived in many small communities in West Texas following jobs. In 1968 the family moved to Tularosa, New Mexico to operate a large farm there.

This is where Randy met his first true love, Kathy Mitchell. They married in 1972 and lost their first child, Cory Allen Cimarron, at birth in 1973. Kathy died a few months later from a broken heart in 1974.

Randy continued to work on the farm and met another young lady who he soon married, and two beautiful daughters came from this union, Joanna and Shelley. Randy raised his daughters with the help of his mother until Randy and his family moved to the Purcell area in 1995 and then a year later took up residence in Wanettem Oklahoma where his daughters graduated High School.

He and his mother have raised several Special Needs children and helped with the grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Laymon D. of Tularosa, New Mexico; step-mother Jean Bailey, of Tularosa, New Mexico; his wife, Kathy Hightower of New Mexico; a son, Cory Allen Cimarron; both sets of grandparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Survivors include his mother, Chloe Ann Rippy of the home; his daughters, Joanna McGregor and her husband James with ten year old twins Jasmine and James of Lexington, Oklahoma; Shelley Nelson and husband Chris, with sons Will and Dusty Stewart of Wanette; four brothers, Phil Hightower and family of Purcell, Oklahoma; Tony Hightower and wife Colleen of Amarillo, Texas; Keith Hightower and wife Deedee of Dora, New Mexico; Chris Hightower and wife Sarah of Purcell, Oklahoma; three sisters, Linda Gilley and husband Franklin of Amarillo, Texas; Wanda Buxton and husband Jim of Wanette; Cheryl Van and husband Wayne of Tularosa, New Mexico; as well as many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Lexington.

Burial will follow at the Wanette Cemetery.

Arrangements by Wilson-Little of Purcell.