Jimmy Duane Hightower was born on July 20, 1949, in Okemah and was adopted by Ralph and Era Hightower at an early age. At the age of 35 Jim found out he had 15 biological siblings including 5 sets of twins and was able to meet a few of them. He also had other siblings from his adoption that included Bonita Hackett of Cushing, Darlene Wilson of Stroud, and Ralph Britton of Prague who proceeded him in death just last week.

He joined the Army in 1967 and was stationed primarily in Korea until 1974. After completing his military service, Jim worked most of his life as a truck driver. His most recent employers included Miller Trucking and Kwikset, before he finished his working career at DoughBoyz Pizza.

Jim married Cindy Hall Terrell on July 6, 1999. Through their marriage, he gained two daughters: Shelly Hilbert and her husband, Kerry, and Sha Terrell and her husband, David Alcorn. Jim was always there for the girls, and they never considered him anything less than their dad.

Jim’s favorite title was Papa Jim. He had four grandsons: Kreg Hilbert of Stroud; Austin Alcorn and Kali of Bristow; Kyle Hilbert and Alexis of Bristow; and Kody Hilbert and Clarissa of Depew. His greatest pride and joy then became his nine great-grandchildren: Hadlee, Kanon, and Kace Hilbert; Sadie Alcorn; Addison, Dorothy, and Della Hilbert; and Brady and Baylor Hilbert.

Papa Jim was truly one of a kind. You rarely, if ever, saw him without his overalls on, and he was just as well known for refusing to wear his dentures. He was a simple country man who loved the life he lived. He was happiest during mowing season keeping all the grass cut and when he was in his “tool shed” tinkering while listening to his old time music on his record player.

Nothing meant more to Papa Jim than his family. He adored all his babies and never took his eyes off them when they were around. If one of them happened to fall and get a scrape, you could count on Papa Jim to gripe about somebody not watching them closely enough.

He also loved to eat, and there wasn’t a buffet he didn’t appreciate. But smoked bologna was his favorite. If a barbecue restaurant didn’t serve bologna, there was a good chance Papa Jim wasn’t ordering anything at all—and he might just leave. As far as he was concerned, “If they don’t serve bologna, it ain’t real barbecue.”

There wasn’t a single thing he wouldn’t do for his family. It didn’t matter what he was doing or how busy he was. If one of the kids—or Kerry—called and needed him, whatever he was working on could wait. He would get in his truck and go.

Whether he was keeping an eye on the weather and getting the cellar ready for everyone, helping one of us fix something, or making his trip to City Hall on the 15th with the DoughBoyz check to make sure the water bill was paid, Papa Jim was always the one we could count on.

He didn’t need recognition or praise. Taking care of his family was simply what he did. He showed his love by being there every single time he was needed.