Dr. Harold Boone Hightower passed away Saturday, February 22, 2014. He was born March 14, 1920 in Memphis, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. N.A. Hightower. He graduated from Memphis High School, attended Texas Tech for his pre-dental education, and graduated from Baylor University College of Dentistry in Dallas with a D.D.S. Degree. Upon graduation he went directly to the army. He served 3 and one half years in World War Two and served one and one half years in the Pacific Theatre. 
He married Janetta Oakley in Kansas City, MO. in 1946. They came to San Angelo in 1947 and retired after 50 years. He served as president of the San Angelo District Dental Society, West Texas Dental Association, and Vice President Texas Dental Association. He served as a delegate to American Dental Association numerous times.
He served as president of the Southwest Society Of Restorative Dentistry of Dallas, Elected Fellow of the American College of Dentistry, F.A.C.D., and also a Fellow to the International College of Dentists, F.I.C.D.
He was a member of the San Angelo Country Club for over 40 years. He enjoyed golf for years, but was always a "dubber" by his own admission.
He was a member of the First Methodist Church and a Thirty Second Degree Mason. He was a past member of the West Side Lions and served on the Board of Directors.
Preceding him in death were his son Bob Hightower; his wife Janetta in 2008 after 62 years of marriage; his brother Dr. N.A. Hightower, Jr. and his parents.
He is survived by his daughter Mari Doss; daughter-in-law Cindy Hightower; three grandchildren Jeremy, Laramie and his Fiancée Elizabeth Fighter and Cheyene; two great grandchildren Elizabeth and Brody. He is also survived by a special nephew, Newton Hightower of Houston. His daughter Alisa Tamburrano and husband Tony and their children Allison, Lila and Kate. He is also survived by a special friend, Billie Shaw.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Johnson's Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. 

The Rev. Robert Boyden Hedges, age 88, died peacefully Saturday morning, February 22, 2014, at his home in San Angelo surrounded by family. 

A celebration of his life will be held at First Christian Church, 29 Oakes Street, at 11 AM on Friday, February 28th. The Episcopal Bishop of Northwest Texas, the Rt. Rev. James Scott Mayer will be presiding, assisted by the Revs. Matthew Rowe, Jared Houze, and Bill Wright.

Robert was born to Walter Raleigh Hedges and Rachel Boyden Hedges on February 24, 1925 in Farson, Iowa. He and his family moved to Hedrick, Iowa when he was three. He graduated from Hedrick High School in May of 1942. He was the valedictorian of his class. That June, he graduated from the Ottumwa Conservatory of Music where he studied piano. At 17 years of age, he entered Drake University in Des Moines. 

He served his country as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 in the 8th US Army Air Force during World War II. By his 19th birthday, he had flown numerous missions as part of the European theater, most notably fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. 

From 1946-1949, Robert served as an artillery intelligence officer in Tokyo, Japan. He taught English to the Japanese, climbed Mt. Fuji twice, and while in Japan, he found the Episcopal Church through its military chaplaincy and was confirmed by the Bishop of the Armed Forces. In 1949, he resumed his education at Drake University. He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science (Phi Beta Kappa). 

While at Drake, he met Carole Simpson and they married in 1951. After Lieutenant Hedges served a year in the Korean conflict (IX Core Artillery), he and his wife moved to New York City where he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. He was ordained deacon in 1954 and priest in 1955. He began ordained ministry as Curate of St. Paul's Church in Des Moines, and then as founding Rector of St. Timothy's Church in West Des Moines, where he served for 26 years. 

For 21 years, he served as a chaplain in the Iowa National Guard, the last nine years as State Chaplain. He rose to the rank of Colonel, and at retirement, he was given the rank of honorary Brigadier General. 

In 1976, he married Laurel Markham. In 1982, Father Bob and Laurel accepted a call from the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and moved to San Angelo. They loved it here so much they never left. He retired from Good Shepherd in 1992. Laurel Hedges died in 2002.

Known for his love of people and of life, and his willingness to hug any and all, Father Bob did not grasp the concept of 'retirement.'

He served as Interim Minister at St. John's Church in Naperville, Illinois, St. Paul's Church in Brady, and at San Angelo's First Christian Church. The past president of the San Angelo Ministerial Association, some of Father Bob's closest friends were clergy from other denominations. He was a guest preacher in Lutheran, Methodist, Disciples of Christ, and Presbyterian Churches in San Angelo. He even played a Lutheran minister in the 1993 film WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE, which was written by his son, Peter.

He has been a pastoral assistant and Chaplain at Emmanuel Episcopal Church since 1994, providing pastoral care to families of the parish and godly wisdom to the parish clergy. He was an active supporter of Grace 'n' Grub, a ministry of Emmanuel that provides lunch without cost to high school students on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year. Stationed at his place at the end of the serving line, he could always be seen passing out silverware and napkins, along with greeting every student, many by name, and sharing good wishes with them. 

His lifelong love of music led to his serving 31 years on the San Angelo Symphony Board of Directors. For most of his membership, he served on the Symphony's Artistic Directions committee, often as Chair or Co-Chair. He also worked tirelessly on both their membership drive and in their fundraising efforts. 

For nearly 40 years he traveled the country on behalf of his beloved college fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon, working with countless young men in the area of alcohol awareness and drug abuse as well as serving on the faculty of their annual leadership school. He was awarded SAE's highest honor, The Distinguished Service Award. 

He volunteered in several alcohol and chemical dependency programs and treatment facilities. For the last 20 years, he served as an AIDS volunteer.

He met for coffee six days of week with a loyal group of West Texans. They called themselves 'The World Council.' They had opinions on most everything, but sadly no one called to ask for their advice. 

When he learned that his cancer was inoperable, he accepted the news with grace. "I wish the news were better," he said. "But I've had a wonderful life. At almost 89 years, how can I complain?" 

Father Bob devoted his life to serving God and helping others. Over his 58 year ministry, he touched thousands of lives. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his four children: Mary Clare (Daniel) Evans, Joel, Peter (Susan) and Philip Hedges. Five Step Children: Jan (Tom) Adams, Paul (Ruth) Markham, Bruce (Kathy) Markham, Dave Markham and Suzanne (Pete) Graham. Thirty Grandchildren:
Stephen and Alexander Evans, Rachel (Philip) Clark, Michelle, Simon, Lucas, Jennifer, Timothy and Allie Hedges, Trish (Mike) Heins, Carrie (Kurt) Kuhlman, Christy (Tim) Decker, Susan (John) King, Marcus (Carrie) Thoendel, Matthew (Amanda) Thoendel, Billy Adams, Bryan (Nicole) Adams, Michael Adams, Joe (Laura) Markham, Cynthia Miller, Scott (Marci) Miller, Aimee (Mike) Turner, Eric Markham, Adam (Amanda) Markham, Anne (Clint) Walker, Kyle Markham, Alan (Lora) Roberts, Chris (Ann) Roberts, Katie and Courtney Graham. And 27 Great Grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Smith, and nephews Kim and Kriss Smith.

Visitation is from 5 PM to 8 PM, Thursday, February 27, 2014, in the Chapel at Johnson's Funeral Home. At 7 PM, family and friends will be welcome to share personal reflections and stories about Father Bob. 

In lieu of flowers Memorial Gifts may be made to be to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 3 S. Randolph, San Angelo, TX, 76903 and the San Angelo Symphony, 36 E Twohig Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903.