After years of dodging game wardens to hunt, Lewis Buckner Hightower, Jr., better known as Bubba, has finally hung up his rifle and traded it in for the best hunting spot in heaven and the woods are a little quieter. Lewis was born Oct. 17,1946 and peacefully passed away April 18, 2026.
Bubba was born in Pasadena, Texas, where he resided until his family moved to Cleveland, Texas, where he would spend his life with his wife and his children until he was called home. Bubba proudly served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam Era. Bubba would later become an elevator mechanic when he joined the IUEC Local 31 Elevator Union, he worked tireless hours to provide for his family for twenty-seven years until he eventually retired from Thyssen Krupp Elevators. He was a loving husband, daddy, pops, grandpa, pap, uncle Bubba and countless other things to many people. He loved life and it definitely showed in his many shenanigans. The many stories that could be told by him or about him are endless. He had a special way of touching the lives of everyone he came into contact with. Bubba enjoyed spending his free time reading, drawing, hunting, was a talented leather worker, and loved Willie Nelson, he met him once if you didn’t know. To know him was to love him, and he will be truly missed.
Lewis, Jr. is preceded in death by Father, Lewis Buckner Hightower, Sr. and Mother, Jennie Mae Weaver Hightower
Lewis, Jr. is survived by his wife of 41 years Loretta Burke Hightower, Children: Lewis “Andy” Hightower and wife Leslie, Jennifer Hightower Anthony and husband Daniel, Michelle Chapman and husband Johnny, Shannon Hamic and wife Stacy. Grandchildren: Samantha Hightower, Browdy Hightower, Brooke Anthony, Nicholas Anthony, Cole Anthony, Douglas Chapman, Christopher Chapman, Tyler Hamic, Brooke Gray. Great Grandchildren: Graysen Stephens, Ryan Gray, Averie Gray, Axel Gray, Kacie Chapman, Wyatt Chapman, Konner Dickert, Hudson Chapman Siblings: Sam Hightower, Robert Hightower, Gina Lilley, Mary Lou Whitmire, Marilyn “Frog” Hightower.
In honor of the legacy Bubba leaves behind, a visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., located at Neal Funeral Home 200 S. Washington Ave. Cleveland, Texas 77327. A funeral service will be held the following day, Friday, April 24, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at the same location. Interment is to immediately follow at Wells Cemetery in Cleveland, Texas.
All arrangements to be handled under the trusted care of Neal Funeral Home.
My condolences and prayers for the family and friends. He was a character for sure at the deer lease. I’m blessed that I had the honor to meet him and his family when together in Fred, Tx.