Ernest Hightower, sadly passed away at his home in Gilroy California on Thursday July 25, 2024, at 70 years old after a lengthy battle with illness.  Ernest was born in Hope Arkansas where he spent his early years. However, his mother moved the family to Santa Cruz California during his middle childhood.  He often reminisced about how much he loved his grandfather's farm in Arkansas. He cherished the memories of their fishing, hunting and gardening time together.

Ernest attended Santa Cruz High School where he was an athletic phenom.  He was an All-Star athlete and excelled at track and field and football.  He earned numerous awards and

honors during his high school career. He attended Long Beach State University on a football scholarship.  Later in life, Ernest was able to combine his love of children and sports with coaching.   He coached little league baseball in Santa Cruz County. Ernest was a great coach and under his leadership the team was transformed into championship competitors. He was very proud of this accomplishment.

Ernest was known for his charitable acts of kindness in the Gilroy community where he lived. He often provided home cooked meals and blankets to individuals in need.  He was always sociable, compassionate, and empathetic toward others.  Ernest was an exceptional cook, and he took great joy and tremendous pride in cooking meals for his family and friends. On any given day he could be found in his happy place, the kitchen, working his magic.  He happily and lovingly served up full platters of food with a big wide smile on his face.  Family was always important to Ernest, and he delighted in family gatherings. He would routinely laugh, joke and playfully tease his family members. He referred to himself as the Domino king, and always showed up to family get-togethers with his own personal set of dominos.

Ernest is preceded in death by his mother Alma Hightower, his father George H. Hightower, and his eldest son Kenton Hightower.  He is also predeceased by his eldest brother George Hightower.  He is survived by his ex-wife Dianne Hightower, his eldest daughter Roshell Hightower, his son Colton Hightower, his daughter Tawny Hightower, several grandchildren and his significant partner Jill Mohun.  He is also survived by his younger brother David Hightower, his sister Joyce Latimore, his youngest brother Eddie Hightower and his youngest sister Sharon Toline. In addition, he leaves behind several nieces, nephews and extended family.

To honor the wishes of Ernest, there will be no memorial service.  I invite you to please privately celebrate Ernest Hightower's memory in your own ways.  I know that he will be with us all in spirit.

The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living, and Ernest will forever live in our hearts and memories.

"WHAT THE HEART HAS ONCE OWNED AND HAD, IT SHALL NEVER LOSE."