Charles Cecil Hightower Sr. was a warehouseman for local companies. He was also a coach who liked to impart his knowledge of sports to the young and a talented, prize-winning artist. Hightower died on Dec. 24. He was 69.

In his youth, he could jump phenomenally high — a talent that let him hold his own on the local basketball courts with the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and other Philly stars.

In fact, while at West Philadelphia High School, Cecil set a school record in the high jump in 1960, clearing the bar at 6 feet 4 inches.

Hightower was born in Philadelphia to Lovie Lee Beatrice Thomas and Charles Claude Hightower. He excelled in track and field at West Philadelphia High School and played junior varsity basketball before dropping out. He later received his diploma from the Standard Evening School.

At the old Haddington Playground, now Shepard Recreation Center, in West Philly, he got to test his skills and his jump shot against Chamberlain, Sonny Hill, Walt Hazzard, Earl “the Pearl” Monroe, Wali Jones and other players.

He was employed by the Wynne Bolt and Screw Co. as a warehouseman and driver for more than 20 years. He was a member of Teamsters Local 115. He later worked as an inventory clerk for the Logistics Co.

Hightower was also an active member of Simpson Fletcher United Methodist Church. He was vice president of the young adult choir.

“He was a joyful, loving person, and was a man of his own who had to be himself whether you liked it or not,” his family said.

Hightower is survived by: daughter, Donna Lynn; two sons, Charles Cecil Hightower Jr. and Dereck Claude Backus; sister, Barbara Clark; and two grandchildren.

He was predeceased in death by his wife, Judith and brother, Ernest Hightower.

Services were held on Jan. 7.

—The Philadelphia Daily News contributed to this report.