Obituaries

James T. Hight, graphic designer and art director, best known for his award-winning work including iconic and everlasting logo and package designs for Dairy Queen, Phillips 66, Esso, Barbasol, Xerox, International Paper, and Wonder Bread, died peacefully on Aug. 11 at his home, surrounded by family in Madison, Ct. He was 88.
Mr. Hight was a decorated Veteran of World War II and the Korean War, serving as one of the youngest Chief Petty Officers in the U.S. Navy. He was promoted to Chief Radioman with top-level security clearance and served at posts on land in Chatham, MA; Imperial Beach, California; Oahu; Guam; and, Puerto Rico.
James grew up on a farm in Randolph, Nebraska along with six brothers and three sisters. His artistic ability was recognized early, and after his military service he went to the Pratt Institute of Art and Design on the GI Bill. This led to work at some of the top agencies in the New York area, including Lester Beall, Lippincott & Margulies, International Paper, and American Can Company.
His interests were in the air as a private pilot, on the water as a sailor, in the darkroom as a photographer, and on canvas as an artist. He was active with the art associations of Guilford, Old Lyme, Clinton and Madison, where he served as president. He passed along his reverence for life's beauty to his kids, his grandkids, and those he naturally attracted with his warm smile and quiet charm. He will be sorely missed.
James, a long-time Madison resident, is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Ann Marie Hight of Madison, his son Robert Hight, daughters Mary Dunn and Andrée Duggan, and by his adoring grandchildren Nicole and Joe Dunn and James Duggan. He is also survived by his brothers Warren Hight, Algie Hight, and David Hight. James is pre-deceased by his son, Brian Hight, his parents, Willard Brackston Hight and Lula Ethel Salmon, and by his sisters Berdeen Williams, Doris Schrock and Helen Cisney and brothers Willard ‘Bud’ Hight, Jack Hight and Eugene Hight.
A Mass of Christian Burial open to the public will be celebrated on Saturday, August 25 at 11 am at St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church, 24 Academy Street, Madison, CT. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made in James' name to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, Ct. 06405 or to the Madison Art Society, PO Box 1383, Madison, Ct 06443, for their youth awards and scholarship programs.