James D Higgs

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 held at a later date.

James Doyle Higgs, 80 years of age, of McAllen, Texas (formerly of Independence, Kansas) passed away unexpectedly while visiting family in Alma, Nebraska on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at the Harlan County Health Systems in Alma.

James was born July 6, 1935 at Independence, the son of Ralph Emory Higgs, Sr. and Sarah Vivian (Hiatt) Higgs.  Three months before Jim's 3 ^rd 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 the Gravel Hill School (a one-room country school) through his first eight years of schooling.  Jim then attended Independence High School, where he graduated with the class of 1953.

Following his education, Jim pursued his passion of 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 instructor to many students from all over the world.

Besides his father, Jim was preceded in death by his mother in 2005; his step-father, Wilbur F. "Larry" Ware; in addition. Jim was also preceded in death by his first wife, Glenna (Pursley) Moore; his paternal grandparents; and by his maternal grandparents:  Carl and Kate Hiatt, who raised him.

Jim leaves to celebrate his life; his life companion of many years, Donna Donscheski of McAllen; his two biological children:  Vivian (Moore) Meyer and her husband, Jerry Meyer of Phillipsburg, Kansas and Carl Moore and his wife, Mashel of Alma; two step-children:  Roy Harris and Elaine (Harris) Smith both of Oregon; brother, Ralph Higgs of San Francisco, California; sister, Marilyn (Ware) Goad and her husband, Charles of Independence; maternal cousins:  Nick Lucas of Connecticut and Katy (Lucas) Cash of the Bahamas; and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; 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 & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.