A Celebration of Life Service for James D. "Jim" Higgs will be held Labor Day weekend in Independence, Kansas. Publication of the service date and time will be announced at a later date.
James Doyle Higgs, 80 years if age, of McAllen, Texas (formerly of Independence, Kansas), passed away unexpectedly while visiting family in Alma, Nebraska on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Harlan County Health Systems in Alma.
Jim was born July 6, 1935 at Independence, the son of Ralph Emory Higgs, Sr. and Sarah Vivian (Hiatt) Higgs. Three months before Jim's 3rd birthday, his father Ralph died in an automobile accident. After the early passing of his father, Jim's mother accepted a Civil Service job which required her to move to Washington, D.C.. Consequently, Jim and his brother Ralph, were raised by their maternal grandparents: Carl and Kate (Norris) Hiatt on a small farm north of Independence. Jim received his primary education from Gravel Hill School (a one-roomed country school) through his first eight years of schooling. Jim the attended Independence High School, where he graduated with the class of 1953.
Following his education, Jim pursued his passion for aviation and earned his pilot's license in the 1960's. Jim's career continued to be centered on aviation for the remainder of his life. For many years, he operated Coos Aviation in North Bend, Oregon and Rogue Valley Skyways in Medford, Oregon, before relocating to McAllen, Texas, where he resided at the time of his passing. Many friendship bonds were formed throughout the years as Jim served as a DC-3 flight instuctor to many students from all over the world.
Besides his father, Jim was preceded in death by his mother in 2005; his step-father Wilber F. "Larry" Ware; in addition. Jim was also preceded in death by his first wife, Glenna (Pursley) Moore; his paternal grandparents and his maternal grandparents, Carl and Kate Hiatt, who raised him.
Jim leaves to celebrate his life; his life companion for many years, Donna Donscheski; his two biological children: Vivian (Moore) Meyer and husband Jerry and Carl Moore and wife Mashel; two step-children: Roy Harris and Elaine (Harris) Smith; brother, Ralph Higgs; sister, Marilyn (Ware) Goad and her husband, Charles of Independence; maternal cousins: Nick Lucas and Katy (Lucas) Cash; and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.
There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Jim's wish for cremation.
A memorial has been established in Jim's honor and kindly suggested to the Harlan County Nebraska EMS in Alma or directed to the family to establish a scholarship fund that will benefit aviation students into the future.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Bauer-Torrey and Mach in Alma, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary taken from www.nelsonbauerfh.com
James Doyle Higgs, 80 years if age, of McAllen, Texas (formerly of Independence, Kansas), passed away unexpectedly while visiting family in Alma, Nebraska on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Harlan County Health Systems in Alma.
Jim was born July 6, 1935 at Independence, the son of Ralph Emory Higgs, Sr. and Sarah Vivian (Hiatt) Higgs. Three months before Jim's 3rd birthday, his father Ralph died in an automobile accident. After the early passing of his father, Jim's mother accepted a Civil Service job which required her to move to Washington, D.C.. Consequently, Jim and his brother Ralph, were raised by their maternal grandparents: Carl and Kate (Norris) Hiatt on a small farm north of Independence. Jim received his primary education from Gravel Hill School (a one-roomed country school) through his first eight years of schooling. Jim the attended Independence High School, where he graduated with the class of 1953.
Following his education, Jim pursued his passion for aviation and earned his pilot's license in the 1960's. Jim's career continued to be centered on aviation for the remainder of his life. For many years, he operated Coos Aviation in North Bend, Oregon and Rogue Valley Skyways in Medford, Oregon, before relocating to McAllen, Texas, where he resided at the time of his passing. Many friendship bonds were formed throughout the years as Jim served as a DC-3 flight instuctor to many students from all over the world.
Besides his father, Jim was preceded in death by his mother in 2005; his step-father Wilber F. "Larry" Ware; in addition. Jim was also preceded in death by his first wife, Glenna (Pursley) Moore; his paternal grandparents and his maternal grandparents, Carl and Kate Hiatt, who raised him.
Jim leaves to celebrate his life; his life companion for many years, Donna Donscheski; his two biological children: Vivian (Moore) Meyer and husband Jerry and Carl Moore and wife Mashel; two step-children: Roy Harris and Elaine (Harris) Smith; brother, Ralph Higgs; sister, Marilyn (Ware) Goad and her husband, Charles of Independence; maternal cousins: Nick Lucas and Katy (Lucas) Cash; and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.
There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Jim's wish for cremation.
A memorial has been established in Jim's honor and kindly suggested to the Harlan County Nebraska EMS in Alma or directed to the family to establish a scholarship fund that will benefit aviation students into the future.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Bauer-Torrey and Mach in Alma, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary taken from www.nelsonbauerfh.com
A Celebration of Life Service for James D. "Jim" Higgs will be held Labor Day weekend in Independence, Kansas. Publication of the service date and time will be announced at a later date.
James Doyle Higgs, 80 years if age, of McAllen, Texas (formerly of Independence, Kansas), passed away unexpectedly while visiting family in Alma, Nebraska on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Harlan County Health Systems in Alma.
Jim was born July 6, 1935 at Independence, the son of Ralph Emory Higgs, Sr. and Sarah Vivian (Hiatt) Higgs. Three months before Jim's 3rd birthday, his father Ralph died in an automobile accident. After the early passing of his father, Jim's mother accepted a Civil Service job which required her to move to Washington, D.C.. Consequently, Jim and his brother Ralph, were raised by their maternal grandparents: Carl and Kate (Norris) Hiatt on a small farm north of Independence. Jim received his primary education from Gravel Hill School (a one-roomed country school) through his first eight years of schooling. Jim the attended Independence High School, where he graduated with the class of 1953.
Following his education, Jim pursued his passion for aviation and earned his pilot's license in the 1960's. Jim's career continued to be centered on aviation for the remainder of his life. For many years, he operated Coos Aviation in North Bend, Oregon and Rogue Valley Skyways in Medford, Oregon, before relocating to McAllen, Texas, where he resided at the time of his passing. Many friendship bonds were formed throughout the years as Jim served as a DC-3 flight instuctor to many students from all over the world.
Besides his father, Jim was preceded in death by his mother in 2005; his step-father Wilber F. "Larry" Ware; in addition. Jim was also preceded in death by his first wife, Glenna (Pursley) Moore; his paternal grandparents and his maternal grandparents, Carl and Kate Hiatt, who raised him.
Jim leaves to celebrate his life; his life companion for many years, Donna Donscheski; his two biological children: Vivian (Moore) Meyer and husband Jerry and Carl Moore and wife Mashel; two step-children: Roy Harris and Elaine (Harris) Smith; brother, Ralph Higgs; sister, Marilyn (Ware) Goad and her husband, Charles of Independence; maternal cousins: Nick Lucas and Katy (Lucas) Cash; and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.
There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Jim's wish for cremation.
A memorial has been established in Jim's honor and kindly suggested to the Harlan County Nebraska EMS in Alma or directed to the family to establish a scholarship fund that will benefit aviation students into the future.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Bauer-Torrey and Mach in Alma, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary taken from www.nelsonbauerfh.com
James Doyle Higgs, 80 years if age, of McAllen, Texas (formerly of Independence, Kansas), passed away unexpectedly while visiting family in Alma, Nebraska on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Harlan County Health Systems in Alma.
Jim was born July 6, 1935 at Independence, the son of Ralph Emory Higgs, Sr. and Sarah Vivian (Hiatt) Higgs. Three months before Jim's 3rd birthday, his father Ralph died in an automobile accident. After the early passing of his father, Jim's mother accepted a Civil Service job which required her to move to Washington, D.C.. Consequently, Jim and his brother Ralph, were raised by their maternal grandparents: Carl and Kate (Norris) Hiatt on a small farm north of Independence. Jim received his primary education from Gravel Hill School (a one-roomed country school) through his first eight years of schooling. Jim the attended Independence High School, where he graduated with the class of 1953.
Following his education, Jim pursued his passion for aviation and earned his pilot's license in the 1960's. Jim's career continued to be centered on aviation for the remainder of his life. For many years, he operated Coos Aviation in North Bend, Oregon and Rogue Valley Skyways in Medford, Oregon, before relocating to McAllen, Texas, where he resided at the time of his passing. Many friendship bonds were formed throughout the years as Jim served as a DC-3 flight instuctor to many students from all over the world.
Besides his father, Jim was preceded in death by his mother in 2005; his step-father Wilber F. "Larry" Ware; in addition. Jim was also preceded in death by his first wife, Glenna (Pursley) Moore; his paternal grandparents and his maternal grandparents, Carl and Kate Hiatt, who raised him.
Jim leaves to celebrate his life; his life companion for many years, Donna Donscheski; his two biological children: Vivian (Moore) Meyer and husband Jerry and Carl Moore and wife Mashel; two step-children: Roy Harris and Elaine (Harris) Smith; brother, Ralph Higgs; sister, Marilyn (Ware) Goad and her husband, Charles of Independence; maternal cousins: Nick Lucas and Katy (Lucas) Cash; and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.
There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Jim's wish for cremation.
A memorial has been established in Jim's honor and kindly suggested to the Harlan County Nebraska EMS in Alma or directed to the family to establish a scholarship fund that will benefit aviation students into the future.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Bauer-Torrey and Mach in Alma, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.
Obituary taken from www.nelsonbauerfh.com
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