He was so much more than the pizza guy

It wasn't just the Christmas spirit that filled them.

Four managers of local Domino's Pizza franchises came to The Press to deliver an extra large donation, say "cheese," get their picture taken and leave the Press Christmas for All program better able to help local people in need help themselves.

Those managers — and Domino's employees in general, if you've noticed — seem happier than many food and beverage employees. And again, it wasn't just the fact that they were contributing to a worthy program with a sum that was matched by the franchise owners, Jim and Missy Hightower.

They were a reflection of the Hightowers themselves.

This is not an easy editorial to write. One of the privileges of being a newspaper editor is getting to know a great many local people from all walks of life, and not just appreciating some of them, but becoming real friends with a few.

Jim Hightower was one of those friends, and his death last Sunday really does diminish us all.

Jim was a hard-core sports fan (Bear Down, Arizona!), a tireless worker and astute businessman who with Missy built a bustling little pizza empire in North Idaho, a gentleman who always seemed to wear a nice tie and an even nicer smile.

In his service on the Coeur d'Alene School Board, Jim was laser-focused on this question: What's best for the students? A Republican who would have made Ron Reagan proud, Hightower was fiscally responsible while putting his all into ensuring public education in District 271 was healthy and strong.

If Jim had any enemies, it could only be those who wore aprons from other pizza places. And even then we suspect competition was fierce but friendly. How could you not like a man this kind, respectful and humble?

Our hearts go out to Jim and Missy's big, beautiful, blended family. Please respect their privacy in the days ahead while mourning this loss not just to them, but to our entire community.