James Hightower was born on September 15,1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was the youngest of five children born to Annie Josephine Armstrong Hightower and Wilbur Vernon Hightower. James had a strong faith and accepted Christ into his life, and faithfully attended Mount Zion Baptist Church.
James attended Little Rock Public School through his formative years and graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1961. He attended the only Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the Arkansas University system at Arkansas Agriculture, Mechanical and Normal College (AM&N), which was renamed the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. James graduated from this historic institution with a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree of Music in 1965. That degree choice seemed perfect for him as he enjoyed singing and had a melodious voice. James went on to receive his Master of Arts Degree as well.
After graduation, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, and taught in the Chicago School System. After retirement, James moved to San Diego, California, where he lived the
remainder of his life.
On February 16, 2024, James left this life and entered his eternal rest.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Wilbur Vernon Hightower Sr. and Annie Josephine Armstrong Hightower, and his brothers; Wilbur Vernon Hightower Jr. and Harry Lafayette Hightower.
Left to cherish his memory is his sister Dr. Ida Hightower Gregory-Barnes of San Diego, California, his brother George William Hightower and wife Anna Hightower of Berkeley, California, his two aunts; Mary Virginia Gans and Ora Narcisse Daniels of Little Rock, Arkansas, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
