Dr. James Osgood Hightower, Jr., Ret. Col.

AIKEN - James O Hightower Jr. died peacefully on May 18, at his home in Aiken SC. Born to James O. and Kitty Hightower; he grew up in Jonesboro Georgia. He was a graduate of Jonesboro High School. Dr. Hightower enlisted in the Navy and served as a corpsman for over two years during the Korean War. He left the Navy to pursue a Degree in Zoology at the University of Georgia. Following his graduation from UGA, he earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1958. As a physician he joined the military serving as a flight surgeon and medical officer for 27 years in the Air Force. During that time he earned a Masters in Public Health from the University of California, Berkley. He then turned his ambition to Aerospace Medicine and graduated from the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, San Antonio, Texas. As a Specialist in Bioastronautics he was responsible for the health, safety and performance of pilots. As a young Captain he served in Viet Nam where he was recognized as Flight Surgeon of the Year for his efforts at reducing risks to combat flight crews. Other recognitions during his wartime service included the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, Two Air Medals with 5 clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal with cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 clusters, RVN Campaign Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm leaf, Two Meritorious Service Medals with Cluster and Two Legion of Merit Medals. Dr. Hightower also earned the Korean War Medal during his service with the US Navy during the Korean War. On his return from Vietnam he spent the next two years on the Manned Orbital Space Laboratory (MOL) as a flight surgeon to the astronauts selected to the MOL space program. Following his service to the U.S. Space program he spent four years stationed in Alaska, Elmendorf AFB as the Alaskan Air Command Flight Surgeon. Completing his service in Alaska, Col. Hightower was stationed at Luke AFB, AZ, as the Hospital Commander and then assigned to Langley AFB, VA, in the same position. Col. Hightower was then assigned to the Air Force Surgeon General’s Office at Brooks-Randolph AFB, TX. Dr. Hightower settled in Aiken, SC. following his military retirement and began his second career in Occupational Medicine for Savannah River Plant, I.E. DuPont. After a short time he was selected as the Medical Director at the Savannah River Site where he served for nineteen years. Dr. Hightower was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing and gardening. Dr. Hightower was a member of Retired Officer’s Club, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Aiken County Medical Society. His greatest enjoyment was being Granddaddy to his fifteen grandchildren, Uncle to his nieces and nephews and Dad to his six children. In addition to his wife, Sarah Anne ( Sally) Hightower, he is survived by six children, sons, Steve (Tammy) Hightower, Greg (Dawn) Hightower, daughters, Karen (Mark) Uhle, Trudy (Warren) Voltz, , Bea Hightower (Art) Aiken and Katie (Doug) Walker, and 15 grandchildren, Sarah Hightower, Russell Hightower, Andy Hightower, Megan Hightower, Annie Uhle, Michael Uhle, Katelyn Voltz, Jacob Voltz, Alex Hightower, Cullen Hightower, Hugh Aiken, Lily Aiken, Alexandra Walker, Kaycee Walker, and Sammy Walker. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. To Dad “You gave the greatest gift to all of us, the Love of Family.” Thank you, We all promise to “Straighten Up and Fly Right”. Memorials may be directed to the Tamassee DAR School, P.O. Box 8, Tamassee, SC 29686. Online donations may be made at www.TDARSchool.org. Dr Hightower’s online guest book may be signed at www,shellhousefuneralhome.com Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 22, at 11:30 a.m., Westover Cemetery, Augusta, GA Family and Guests will receive friends Friday, May 21, from 6-8 pm at Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Ave. Aiken, SC. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. James Osgood Hightower, Jr., Ret. Col., please visit our flower store.