David Highers

DAVID L. HIGHERS

David Lynn Highers was born January 11, 1944, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Ernest Edward Highers and Allie Jenkins Highers. He was educated at College of the Ozarks and Magic Valley Christian College. He departed this life on October 21st, 2015, surrounded by family.

He is survived by Charlotte Cochran Highers, his wife of forty years, of Henderson, Tennessee; a daughter, Suki Lin Highers and husband, Dylan Hurd of Fayetteville, Arkansas; a son, Dustin Highers and wife Sherri, of Anchorage, Alaska; and by grandchildren, Kaid Hurd and Jack Hurd, of Fayetteville, and Kyra McKay and Connor McKay of Anchorage; and by a brother, Judge Alan Highers and wife Sandra, of Henderson; nieces Andra Highers Hurst of Houston, Texas, Kimberly Highers Poston of Henderson, Kietha Ivey of New Braunfels, Texas, Dawn Womack of Tucson, Arizona, Kayla Cagle of Pulaski, Tennessee and Timothy Thomason. He was pre-deceased by his parents.

Dave Highers was an adventurer and an achiever and expected nothing less from his family. By the time he retired from the electric utility business he had lived in nine different states from Oklahoma to Alaska and had traveled to many more. His career showed his character – he constantly challenged the status quo and pushed his way from Lineman Apprentice as a young man to Chief Executive Officer at some of the largest electric utility organizations in the nation. Along the way he found time to coach high school football and basketball, join the Air Force, and become Reserve Officer of the Year as a Sergeant in the Athens, Texas, police department.

An avid outdoorsman, Dave enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends in remote areas of Alaska. These favorite activities probably began with meeting and learning from his mentors including Jimmy Lile, the creator of the First Blood survival knife, Elmer Keith, a developer of the .44 magnum pistol, and famous hunter and author, Jack O’Connor. He learned the skill of knife making from Jimmy and from the other two he developed a fascination with knives and guns which he collected and traded his entire life.

In retirement Dave took up residence in Henderson and spent his time between the knife shop, the golf course, and the seat of his beloved Kubota mower. His favorite pastime remained knife making and making friends of those who also suffered from the obsession.

Mornings found Dave at Bill’s in Henderson having coffee with friends; perfect days found him on the golf course, and at least once a week he played golf or cards with Charlotte and their closest friends, Larry and Junie Gilliam.

He was baptized by his father at an early age and was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. Dave made a remarkable study of the Bible having left behind a large number of books and articles in his personal library. He and Charlotte were in regular attendance at the North Jackson Church of Christ.

David Highers was known for his friendliness, outgoing character and good humor all of which earned him many friends wherever he lived. He was loved and respected by his family and he had a good and full life. He will be missed.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Sunday October 25, 2015 at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Casey Chapel with Dustin Highers and David Powell officiating. Burial will follow in Chester County Memory Gardens.

Pall bearers to serve will be Kyle Carter, Tommy Mitchell, Greg Poston, Don Taylor, Dylan Hurd and Kaid Hurd. Honorary pall bearers are Taze Lofton, Larry Gilliam, Norman Story and John Cole (posthumous).

The family will receive friends at Casey Chapel 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Saturday.

Shackelford Funeral Directors – Casey Chapel
Henderson, TN
731-989-2421