Jeffrey James Tower, 63 of Hemet, California passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Friday, September 18, 1953 to David Tower and the late Janette Tower in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jeff Tower was and remains a gift to music education, to Hemet and to jazz, and he lives on through his students, the community and colleagues who all loved him dearly. Jeff came to Hemet High in 1977 and was an educator until 2007, teaching marching band, concert bands, jazz bands, a jazz combo, chamber music, musical theater orchestra, jazz improvisation, music theory, pep band, multimedia and contemporary music history. Under his leadership, Hemet High bands recorded albums and toured the nation and the world. He was part of a music program in Hemet schools where teachers such as Larry Mattox, Bob Waner and Mel Smith prepared students for the high school band. He instilled life lessons, values and ethics like no one else could; commitment to excellence, personal accountability, work ethic, integrity and honor. More than 35 alumni followed Tower into the music education field and several teach locally. “He had a positive impact on a thousand, if not more, kids in their career. “He didn’t sugarcoat life and always treated students like adults. Jeff was demanding but was also a big softie who loved his students as much as he loved music. He approached band and music with the passion and intensity of a football coach. Jeff was known outside of the school world and is a member of the California Alliance for Jazz Hall of Fame. A professional musician who played in many gigs during the 1980's in Palm Springs with many jazz musicians. He will be sorely missed by those that knew him and loved him. His family describe him as inspirational, passionate, a legendary sense of humor and very family oriented. Preceded in death was his mother Janette Tower in November 2000. Surviving is his father, David Tower, sons, Justin Tower and Jonathan Tower and his wife Natasha Kachynska-Tower; daughter, Jamie Tower and her fiancé James Burrow; brother Steven Tower and his wife Karla; one grandchild Bailey Burrow.