Ronnie Hightower

Ronnie (Ronald) Avery Hightower passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026. He was born January 26, 1943, in Saluda, South Carolina, to Avery Oscar Hightower and Martha Edith Livingston Hightower.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was very passionate about missionary work and bringing others to Christ. He served in many capacities in the church and truly enjoyed serving as the Columbia, SC Stake Mission Leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many years. He loved the scriptures and knew them well.

Ronnie was a very gifted athlete. He enjoyed many sports and played different positions in football such as tight end, linebacker, halfback, running back, fullback, and punter for Saluda High School in Saluda, SC. He did track, shot put, and played basketball as a forward. He graduated from Saluda High School in 1960. He continued his education at Furman University on a golf scholarship. He also participated in the Furman singers and was a cheerleader in addition to playing on the golf and swim teams. He graduated from Furman in 1964 with a major in political science.

Ronnie attended law school at the University of South Carolina and graduated from law school in 1968 with a Juris Doctor degree. He became a public defender and practiced criminal defense. He later went to Charleston, SC to be an Assistant State's attorney. He was an Assistant Solicitor in Columbia, SC. He loved to tell his lawyer jokes to anyone with whom he came in contact.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and was affectionately nicknamed "pappy". Ronnie is survived b: his wife, Jo Ann; his son, Wells Hightower; as well as stepchildren, Shawna (Ian) Van Blankenstein, Kyle (Angie) Barentine, and Kregg Barentine; his grandchildren, Aleah (Tyzic) Jackson, Amber/ Brooke/Kelsey/Ruth & Kimball Barentine, Jamie & Blake Barentine, Caitlyn & Maren Mooneyhan; Bonnie (Nathan) Fuhriman, Lindsay Eliza Cathcart, and Richard Charles Richardson Jr. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Emmy & Maggie Fuhriman, and Tyzic Eldon Jackson.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his daughter, Lindsay Hightower Cathcart; his sister, Gulie Ann Molkenthin; and a granddaughter, Brenna Barentine. He was also predeceased by his former son-in-law, Robin Mooneyhan.

Ronnie will truly be missed; he will live in our hearts forever. Till we meet again!

A family graveside service will be conducted at the Thatcher AZ Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church mission fund.