Marion Claude Hightower
October 4, 1925 - July 16, 2008

Chapel of Hope 3321 North Dal Paso Hobbs, NM 88240 Map to Funeral Home Chapel of Hope 3321 N. Dal Paso Hobbs ,  NM 88240 7/18/2008 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Map to Funeral Home Funeral Service Chapel of Hope 3321 N. Dal Paso St. Hobbs ,  NM 88240 7/18/2008 at 6:30 p.m. Map to Funeral Home Rosary Chapel of Hope 3321 N. Dal Paso St. Hobbs ,  NM 88240 7/18/2008 at 7:15 p.m. Map to Funeral Home Mass Our Lady of Guadalupe 914 S Selman Street Hobbs ,  NM 88240 7/19/2008 at 10:00 a.m. Map to Funeral Home Prairie Haven Memorial Park 2201 E. Stanolind Hobbs, NM 88240 Map to Funeral Home

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 gradu­ated 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 mil­itary campaigns of the Pacific Theatre. Following his dis­charge in 1946, he returned to Hobbs briefly; then left to pur­sue a higher education. He received a bachelor's degree in business from Texas Tech in 1950. He later received a mas­ter's degree in business admin­istration 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 estab­lished and operated the Garden of Eden, a plant nurs­ery.

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 daugh­ter, Terry Cantu of Hobbs. Also surviving him are a brother, Bobbe Hightower of Granbury, Texas; a very spe­cial "sister," Rosie Head Gallegos of Artesia; and an aunt, Joan Cross of Ft. Worth. Twenty-two grandchildren and four great·grandchildren 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 direc­tion of Chapel of Hope