A graveside service with full military honors for Horton L. “Tex” Hightower, 92, of Coos Bay will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 4 at Sunset Memorial Park, 63060 Millington Frontage Road in Coos Bay with pastor Don Berney, of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, officiating. A celebration of life buffet will follow the service at The Mill Casino, Hazel-Willow Room, 3201 Tremont Ave., in North Bend. A public visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 3 at the Coos Bay Chapel, 685 Anderson Ave., in Coos Bay.

Tex was born April 28, 1924 in Hillsboro, Texas to Sanford and Marie Hightower. He passed away April 24, 2017 in Coos Bay.

During World War II, Tex enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1946. While in the service, he earned an American Theater Campaign Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, a Philippine Liberation ribbon with one bronze star, a Good Conduct Medal and a World War II victory medal.

In 1947, Tex moved to Coos Bay with his first wife, Ruby. They had three daughters and were divorced in 1960. In 1966, he married Peggy; his wife of 51 years. Tex was a proud member of ILWU Local 12 and worked as a crane operator in the industry for 39 years, until his retirement Aug. 1, 1986. He was also a member of the North Bend Masonic Lodge No. 140 for 53 years.

After his retirement in 1986, he and Peg moved to Eugene where they began buying and selling new homes. They purchased several new homes; she would decorate the interior and he would landscape, then they would sell them. Peg always said she barely had time to turn a light switch on and off before he was wanting to build again. In between their purchasing of homes, they were traveling around, on the west coast and in “cowboy” country; having many adventures. They especially enjoyed attending rodeos - their Texas roots were always in their hearts. After several years in Eugene, they moved to Northern California to invest in the housing boom there. However, before too long, they moved back to Eugene.

In 2012, Tex had several hip surgeries and started showing signs of dementia. He and Peg moved back to North Bend to be closer to family and his dementia became more pronounced until he had to be moved to a memory care facility in 2013. He had been diagnosed with, and bravely battled, Alzheimer’s with Lewy body dementia, until the time of his passing.

Tex is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughters, Connie and Kenneth Giacchero of Portland, Linda Kight of Placentia, Calif., Cathy and Bryan Willis of Portage, IN, Jeri Young of Coos Bay; son, David and Peggy Canup of North Bend; niece, Nancy McDowell of Battleground, Wash.; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Sanford; mother, Marie; brother, Sam; grandson, Chad Canup; brother-in-law, James Huff; and son-in-law, Stephen Young.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association- Oregon Chapter, Southern Oregon regional office, 1245 N. Riverside Ave., Suite 23, Medford, OR 97501.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131.

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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