1926

Born, Memphis, Hall County, Texas, to Walter and Floy Hightower, September 6

1944

Graduated from Memphis High School

1944, Summer

Attended Baylor University in the summer and took first class with Guy B. Harrison

1944-1946

Served during World War II in the U. S. Navy

1946-1951

Attended Baylor University. Received B. A. degree, 1949; LL.B. degree, 1951. Worked in the Texas Collection with Guy B. Harrison for six years

1950

Married Colleen Ward of Tulia, Texas, August 26

1951

Began practicing law in Vernon, Texas. Practiced law there until 1975.

1953-1955

Served in 53^rd Texas Legislature, House of Representatives

1953

Daughter Ann born, January 7

1954

Practiced law briefly in Fort Worth, Texas

1955

Appointed District Attorney, 46^th Judicial District

1956

Daughter Amy born, September 21

1956-1961

Elected District Attorney and re-elected in 1960, served until 1961

1957

Appointed by Governor Price Daniel to the Texas Law Enforcement Commission

1958

President of Texas District and County Attorneys Association and named "Outstanding District Attorney of Texas" for 1959

1958

Vice President of Texas Junior Bar Association

1959

Daughter Alison born, November 22

1961

Resigned as District Attorney to make unsuccessful race for Congress

1962-1964

Named to Board of Regents of Midwestern University in Wichita Falls

1964-1965

Served in Texas Senate from 23^rd District

1966-1975

Elected to new 30^th Senatorial District, served until 1975

1971

Elected by fellow Senators as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate

1971

Served as Governor of Texas for a Day, April 3

1971

Received Doctor of Laws degree from Howard Payne University

1972

Received Phi Alpha Delta Outstanding Alumni Award for Excellent Achievements in the Legal Profession

1972-1981

Trustee, Baylor University (now Board of Regents)

1972

Elected Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.

1974

Delegate, Texas Constitutional Convention

1975-1985

U. S. Representative from 13^th Congressional District of Texas

1985-1987

First Assistant Attorney General of Texas

1988-1995

Served as Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas

1991-2001

Trustee, Wayland Baptist University

1992

Received LL.M. degree from University of Virginia

1999-2005

Commissioner, National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Appointed by President William J. Clinton

2001-2006

Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry of Texas

2001-2006

Chairman of the Board, Scottish Rite Hospital of Texas in Dallas

2001-2006

Chairman of the Board, Scottish Rite Education Association of Texas with offices in the Masonic dormitory in Austin

Chairman of the Board, Scottish Rite Hospital of Texas in Dallas

Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry of Texas

2007- Present

Semi-retired with select writing projects