Jane Buckman Hightower was born June 1, 1932, to Otis and Frances Buckman. Jane spent her early years on the family dairy farm in Shelbina, MO.
In 1953, Jane married Parker Hightower and moved to Kingfisher, OK, where the true adventure began. In Kingfisher, she found her church family at Sts. Peter & Paul. She and Parker also started their own family shortly after arriving in Kingfisher.
Jane was active in Sts. Peter & Paul school, where her children attended. She coached basketball for 20 years and also taught band. When the church steeple was hit by lightning, Jane and her friends made and replaced the stained glass windows that were destroyed.
Jane was also very civic minded person. She spent years working on the county election board and served as Kingfisher County Clerk for many years.
After her kids were grown, the real excitement began. Jane was fearless and full of adventure, including hot air balloon rides, snow skiing, scuba diving, white water rafting, mule rides down the Grand Canyon. And as Parker would say, “she jumped out of a perfectly good airplane” to sky dive to celebrate her 60th. Birthday. She also traveled to Ireland, Hong Kong, Bali, Taiwan, England, Alaska, Hawaii and many other destinations.
Jane’s friends were precious and important to her. For many years she and other members of the “Dawn Patrol” walked the streets of Kingfisher every morning. Most recently, her Wednesday Stitch and Chatter group, her Friday night supper group and her Sunday night dinner & game nights were very dear to her.
Jane loved every holiday but especially fond of Christmas. She spent hours decorating her home and her Christmas tree. She also had one impressive Santa collection.
Sewing was always a passion for Jane, but the last 20 plus years quilting became her passion. She made quilts for all her family and friends and made numerous quilts for military veterans with her Quilts of Valor.
Jane is survived by her sisters Veronica Gander and Madge March Riley. Children Joe Hightower, (Linda), Kelly Hightower, (Mike), Monti Allen, (Richard), Mandi Kilgo, (Chuck) and Lance Hightower, (Brooke), along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jane was proceeded in death by her husband, Parker Hightower, and 3 brothers, James Buckman, Guy Buckman, Sam Buckman and her brother-in-law Kenneth Ryan.
Funeral Services will be handled by Sanders Funeral Home. A Wake service will be held on Tuesday, July 2 at 7:00 p.m. and a funeral service will he held on Wednesday, July 3 at 10:00 a.m., both being at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher, OK.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Sts. Peter & Paul Altar Society.
Under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.