Wallace G. (Bubba) Arnold, L. V. (Dugan) Hightower Jr., Milam Douglas Hightower and Mildred (Hightower) Arnold.
.25 linear ft
A2011-026
1890-1945 (unknown)
Warren Arnold , Don, Dugan, and Mildred Hightower grew up together in Liberty, Texas. Warren G. Arnold, affectionately known as "Bubba" was born September 4, 1918 in Dallas. His father was a barber; there were a long line of barbershop owners in the family, including his grandfather, father, and four of his six uncles. Warren's family moved to Liberty in 1924. In high school Bubba was an agile and athletic student and was named captain of the Liberty Panthers varsity football team, he played defensive end and offensive end while also participating in track and basketball. Bubba first became interested in Mildred Hightower when she was a cheerleader for the Panthers football team.
He played sports with her brothers and won a scholarship to Texas College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville. Arnold and all three Hightowers attended Texas College of Arts and Industries. Bubba received letters of interest and offers from a number of the pro football teams but instead he enlisted in the U. S. Navy. Arnold married Mildred and went to Maritime Officers School in 1942 just after America’s declaration of war. After training he obtained entrance into the U. S. Coast guard and became "acting officer" aboard troopship Cacique.
After the war ended Bubba was employed at Eastman Directional Drilling Co. in Houston. His job sent him traveling between Texas and Louisiana as an engineer. Mildred and Bubba had three sons: Jay, Gene and Jim, during those years. After Bubba left Eastman Drilling, he started a new company with his brother, naming it Arnold Bros. Directional Drilling. The Javelina Hall of Fame was organized in 1972 to pay tribute and give recognition to former athletes, coaches, and others making exceptional contributions and / or meritorious service to the advancement of Texas A&M University-Kingsville / Texas A&I College. Donald Hightower is a charter member of the Javelina Hall of Fame. He received a health and physical education degree from Texas College of Arts and Industries in 1939. Hightower was co-captain of the 1938 football team and was selected as an All-Alamo Conference Player in 1936, 1937, and 1938. Hightower was considered one of the outstanding members of the team. L. V. (Dugan) Hightower Jr. married Dorthoy "Dot" (Lee) Hightower and completed his degree in education at Texas A&I. Dugan served the Ft. Bend, Texas school district for over thirty years providing leadership to the district as an athletic director, coach and assistant principal of Dulles High School. He retired in 1980. The new high school was named, Hightower High School as a tribute to Dugan for his service in education to the Ft. Bend community.
The collection focuses on Warren G. (Bubba) Arnold's college and military records. Included are letters from many teams of what is now the National Football League expressing an interest in recruiting Arnold. The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles were some of the teams offering contracts to Arnold. News clippings, telegrams and photographs of football action at Texas College of Arts and Industries during the late 1930s and early 1940s comprise some of the materials. Arnold's U. S. Navy Officer Service records, war ration books, financial statements of wages and deductions and certificates of accomplishment during the war are present. Photographs of Mildred (Hightower) Arnold, Dugan and Don, her brothers, are included. Shots of the Texas A&I Javelina's during practice and games also are present. In the late 1930s Texas A&I joined Sul Ross and St. Mary's Universities to form the Alamo Conference, playing against each other and the teams of the Southwest Conference. Half back Donald Hightower was selected as an All-Alamo Conference Player in 1936, 1937, and 1938.
The collection is arranged in three series: Series I: Documents Series II: Photographs Series III: Books
South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Open for Research
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Arnold-Hightower Family Collection, A2011-026.XXXX, The South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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A2011-026 – Gift of Jay L. Arnold, W.E. (Gene) Arnold, and Jim Arnold