Colonel Adolph A. Hight

Colonel Adolph A. Hight, Retired, peacefully departed this world on March 7, 2024, at the venerable age of 91, leaving behind a rich tapestry of memories that shall endure as steadfast as his valorous spirit. Born amidst the southern soil of Albany, Georgia, he formed an unbreakable bond of 67 years with his beloved wife and college sweetheart, Dr. Orian Langley Hight, PhD, a testament to a love as enduring as the Georgia pines. Schooled in the crucible of life's lessons at what is now Monroe High School, formerly Madison High School, young Adolph emerged as a stalwart figure. His journey continued at Hampton Institute, where he eagerly imbibed knowledge like a traveler at an oasis. Graduating with a BS degree in Architectural Engineering from Hampton Institute, Adolph's fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, bore witness to his camaraderie. Commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from Hampton Institute in 1953, his academic pursuits continued as he earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1960, a crown befitting his intellect. But it was in the service of his nation that Colonel Hight etched his legacy upon the annals of history. Faithfully serving his country for 30 years, from the hot fields of Albany, Georgia, to distant shores spanning Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Italy, and the South Pacific, he donned the uniform of honor, his footsteps echoing with the cadence of duty. In the crucible of conflict, amidst the fury of wars in both Korea and Vietnam, his mettle was tested, and through his valor, he garnered accolades as numerous as the stars that grace the night sky – the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the illustrious Legion of Merit among them.
Beyond the battlefield, Colonel Hight's endeavors graced the sanctum of community service. From the hallowed halls of Howard University to the venerable grounds of the College of William and Mary, his stewardship of physical facilities bore testament to his dedication to upliftment, his legacy a foundation for those who tread the paths of service.
A man of substance, Colonel Hight's integrity was a lodestar guiding the ship of his family through life's tempests. His love for his family was boundless, his devotion unwavering, a beacon of strength amidst the tumultuous seas of existence. In moments of respite, he found solace in the green embrace of the golf course, in the pursuit of lineage through genealogy, and in the wanderlust that saw him traverse the globe with those he held dear.
As the sun sets on the horizon of mortality, Colonel Hight's memory shall endure as an indomitable bastion, a testament to the enduring spirit of a man whose quiet resolve touched the lives of many. In the embrace of his family and friends, his essence lives on, a flame that shall forever illuminate the path of those who follow.
Colonel Hight is survived by his wife, Dr. Orian Langley Hight, PhD, and his children: Dr. James Emmett Hight II, MD (son) and Dr. Linda Jones, DDS (daughter-in-law) of Rochester, New York, and Bryan Keith Hight (son) and Jenise Tisdale Hight (daughter-inlaw) of Washington, DC. His granddaughters, Olivia Arielle Hight and Gabrielle Elise Hight, bearers of Colonel Hight's legacy, grace the world with their presence. Preceding him in death, Colonel Hight's father, James Emmett Hight, and mother, Bertha Dorothy Lynch-Hight, laid the foundation upon which his life was built. His mother's alma mater, Hampton Institute, held a special place in his heart, as she graduated from there.
Colonel Hight worked tirelessly to financially support his sisters, Dr. Chloe Lois Hight, PhD, and Jaqueline Maria Williams, through their studies at Hampton Institute. He is also preceded in death by his sisters, Laverne Hight, Dr. Chloe Lois Hight, PhD, and Jaqueline Maria Williams.
A viewing shall be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 6 p.m. at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA, offering a moment of reflection amidst the ebb and flow of time. And in future honor of his memory, a military funeral service shall grace the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, a final salute to a soldier whose valor knew no bounds.
In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests contributions to Hampton University (https://givetohamptonu.org/ways-to-give/), a bastion of learning close to Colonel Hight's heart, a testament to his enduring legacy. To the compassionate souls who tended to Colonel Hight in his final days, the family extends their heartfelt gratitude, a balm to soothe the ache of loss. May his soul find peace in the embrace of God's eternity, secure in the knowledge that he shall forever be loved and remembered. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at