Lt. Col. Thomas Kenneth Hightower

Published 9:31 am Monday, October 23, 2017

Bowling Green – Lt. Colonel Ken Hightower (Ret. 1980). Lt Colonel Ken Hightower passed away peacefully Oct 20th 2017 at Magnolia Nursing Home in Bowling Green KY.

Ken was born June 19, 1939 in Elkton Kentucky to the late Thomas D. Hightower and Ethel Lucinda Word Hightower Craft. He attended Clifty High School and graduated as Valedictorian.

Upon Graduation Ken attended Western Kentucky University and joined Army ROTC where he rose to Battalion Commander. He was later inducted into the WKU ROTC Hall of Fame in 2011. He graduated with a double major in Chemistry and Biology. Ken later received his Master’s degree from Syracuse University.

Upon Graduation Ken was commissioned in the U.S. Army which he retired after a 20-year career with the rank of Lt. Colonel (Retired 1980). His distinguished military career included many citations for valor and heroism. He served two tours in Viet Nam earning the Distinguished Service Cross in 1967, which is the nation’s second highest medal for heroism in combat. He also served in Korea as Battalion Commander at the infamous DMZ border with North Korea…. During: Operation Paul Bunyan / The Hatchet Incident. He was later stationed at the Pentagon for over 7 years.

Upon retirement from the military Ken became President of Kinko’s Copies Headquarters in Santa Barbara, Calif and Founder of Kinko’s of Washington Inc. with stores along the East Coast. In 1986 Ken & Peggy moved back to Kentucky and settled in Bowling Green.. where they have remained. Ken was active in residential neighborhood development – home building and investments… and an avid WKU Topper Fan!

Ken is survived by his wife of 57 years, Peggy Joyce Turner, a daughter Betsy Wilkins (Marty), Sons Chip (Tammie), Dale and Andy (Tracy), 11 Grandchildren, a brother Howard Hightower (Patty), a sister Carolyn Hightower Wright (Bill), a nephew Kelby Hightower (Jennifer) and many cousins and friends

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday and 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel. Services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Ken’s final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to WKU ROTC Dept. or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.