Jack English Hightower Biography - Hall County Texas.

Submitted by Darren McCathern quohadi@arn.net
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Darren McCathern, quohadi@arn.net  TX Panhandle Archives Manager 
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Jack E. Hightower


Jack English Hightower was born in Memphis, Texas in 1926. Having spent almost 
all of his professional life in elected office, Hightower's service in 
government began even before graduating from college, with a two year period in 
the Navy from 1944-46. Returning to college after the Navy, he received a 
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1951, both from 
Baylor University. 

In 1951 he joined the law firm of Storey, Storey, and Donaghey in Vernon, Texas; 
and in 1952 successfully ran for election as a Democrat to the Texas House of 
Representatives, serving one term. From 1955-1961 Hightower served as District 
Attorney in Vernon. In 1965 he returned to the Texas Legislature as a State 
Senator, holding office until 1974 and eventually becoming President Pro-tempore 
of the Texas Senate. 

In 1974 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the 13th 
Congressional District of Texas, serving until he was defeated in 1984 by Beau 
Boulter. While in the House of Representatives he served on the Agriculture 
Committee, Appropriations Committee, Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee, 
and the Select Committee on Hunger. From 1985-87 Hightower served as Assistant 
Attorney General of Texas, and in 1988 he was elected to the Texas Supreme 
Court.

In addition to his career in elected offices, Hightower has been very active in 
church, fraternal, and civic organizations. A lifelong Baptist, he has held many 
significant positions in Baptist organizations, including being a trustee of 
Baylor University. He has also been a trustee of Midwestern University, Wichita 
Falls, and served in several leadership positions in the Masons. 

Sources:

Baylor University Library