Travis Michael Hightower
November 7,1996 - April 2, 2017
Obituary
Travis Michael Hightower, 20, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2017. Travis was a sophomore at Auburn University and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He was a Christ follower, loving son, passionate and affectionate brother, devoted grandson, and a fearless, loyal friend. He loved to be on the lake and spend time with family and friends. Travis loved Auburn and all Auburn sports. He was intentional and caring to those in his life. He was adored and loved by all those around him. "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." -Isaiah 40:31 "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God." -Matthew 5:4
Travis is preceded in death by his grandmother, Johnnie Greer; uncle, Jamey Hightower; and cousin, Michael Greene. He is survived by his parents, Jody and Diona Hightower; brother, Trevor Hightower; sister, Alexa Hightower; grandparents, Terry and Sheron Johnson, Charles and Shirley Hightower, and Mike Greer; uncles, Brandon (Melissa) Greer and Graham (Jen) Johnson; aunts, Shannon (Ken) Martens and Cheli (Todd) Greene; and cousins, Mac Greer, Annika Martens, Amelia Martens, Poppy Johnson, and Sean (Kelsey) Winn.
The TMH3 Car Decal
Travis' friends and family wanted a way to carry him with them at all times. Having his initials along with his favorite number on the back of our cars is a way for all of us to remember Travis. If you see a "TMH3" car decal while driving down the road, take a moment to tell a relative that you love them. You never know which time could be the last.
Feel free to leave your favorite memories with Travis in the comment section below
Gallery
A place to remember Travis...
For Trav...
I never expected to be here; talking at Travis' funeral before I graduate high school, before I pick a college, before I get married... he was meant to be here for all of that. But I've learned over the year that the ways of the Lord are mysterious and his timing is always perfect. I find so much peace in the idea that this is how God decided Travis should glorify him. I know for a fact that God will be glorified through the death of my big brother.
When we were little, Travis and I used to play Narnia. We used to pretend we were creatures running away from the "White Witch." I never thought a passage from one of these books would be the greatest comfort to me after Travis' death. In his book The Last Battle, C.S. Lewis writes, "And all their lives in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the title and the cover page:now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before." That's how I chose to see Travis now. His 20 years on earth were just the title and the cover page, and now my brother dwells in the presence of God, in which every moment is better than the one before.
I'd like to end my speech by quoting the popular theologian St. Augustine. Earlier this year, we read his book City of God in our history class. It gives me so much comfort in knowing that Travis "has been delivered from the power of darkness, has received the pledge of the spirit, and has been translated to the Kingdom of Christ" now he "has begun to belong to the angels, with whom he is to be a fellow citizen in that holy and supremely satisfying communion which is the City of God."
Trav, I'm going to miss you so much, bud. And I can't wait to see you again. Don't ever forget, you'll always be my best friend and I'll forever be your little Lexie. I love you, bull.
​
From Trevor...
My brother was an intentional person. He wanted those he cared about to know that.
He loved being with friends and family just to spend time and enjoy us. But most of all he cared for people without expectations of any returns. He just wanted people to know he cared and see them benefit and succeed.
He was selfless and that just made him even more loved by those around him. We had a fantastic dinner on his last night and all he could say was how happy he was to be with us and spend time with us.
Everyone knows about his nickname “the Bull. But I think only dad and me know where the name actually came from. When my brother was young, he was really tender and a brittle kid. Random things would upset him because he was tenderhearted. Dad and I started calling him “Bull” to get him pumped up and make him feel tough. As time went on the name caught on and he became this armored, cast iron guy, but he still had that tender, caring heart.
I went back through our text conversations over the last year or so. I found something that really grabbed my heart.
About a year ago, I was going through a tough time working a job in college and feeling lonely. I told him how every him every time I would leave being with him it would really hurt my heart because of feeling separated from him and my family. He sent me these two screenshots, of which I have no idea of the origin, but I would like to read them now.
Satan wants to destroy our family. He wants to destroy what makes us comfortable and feel at home.
Satan has tried to destroy my family. He has taken something from me that is irreplaceable.
I love my brother. Oh God only knows how much I love my little brother.
People used to ask me why I never called him by name. I would always say “'my brother' might come meet us" or “'my brother' loves this song" or “'my brother' is a sophomore at Auburn." But I always said that because it didn’t matter to me what his name was or where he had been. It just mattered that he was “my brother” and he belonged to me.
My brother has met the Savior of the human race and he has seen our Creators face. I’ve been telling people all week how he’s probably laughing at me right now because he finally beat me at something.
But now we are here to celebrate how wonderful he was. And how special he is to every one of us. And that’s what this is…this is a celebration of him and his fantastic life and how he touched our hearts and made us laugh. He would love to be here and have a reason to get everyone together and listen to music and hang out.
And as we go forward, The Bible says in Psalms, “ Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” This is the darkest valley. This is a place where it is tough to find hope and comfort. I will fear no evil for He is with me. And my brother is with Him.
Contact Me
If you have any pictures of Travis you would like to add, please email me. Additionally, if you would like a car decal, please include your mailing address in your message. Thank you!
Perhaps you sent a lovely card,
or sat quietly in a chair.
Perhaps you sent a funeral spray,
if so we saw it there.
Perhaps you spoke the kindest words,
that anyone could say.
Perhaps you were not there at all,
just thought of us that day.
Whatever you did to console our hearts, we thank you so much, whatever the part.
​
From the Family of Travis Hightower