George William Higgins, Jr., 91, of rural Greentop, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on June 27, 2023 with his family by his side.

The son of the late George and Catherine (Ludden) Higgins, he was born on February 27, 1932, in Kirksville, Missouri weighing 2 lbs and 8 oz. The story goes that he was carried around in a shoe box for several weeks.

George attended Garden Grove School, north of Adair, Missouri, and Kirksville High School, where he graduated in 1950. George was drafted into the Navy and served during the Korean War from January 2, 1952 to December 13, 1955. He attended boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes and was stationed in Hawaii, Japan, China, and Korea. He was discharged in Long Beach, California, as a Second Class Mechanic. He was awarded the National Defense Services, Good Conduct, Korean Services, and United Nation Services Medals.

After the military, George worked on his family farm north of Adair, Missouri. On October 4, 1958, George was married to Carolyn Bruegenhemke at the St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baring, Missouri. After the marriage, he moved to his current farm in 1959, which was connected to his parents’ farm. George farmed and raised cattle and hogs.

George is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of 64 years, and his children David (Geri) Higgins of Kirksville, Missouri, Sherry (Gary) Cass, of Brookshire, Texas, Larry (Tammy) Higgins of Brashear, Missouri, Michael Higgins of Greentop, Missouri, and Tammy Grgurich of Novinger, Missouri. Also surviving are his brothers Harry Higgins and John Higgins, 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Hatfield, Anabel Stober, and Margaret Snell; sisters-in-law Shirley Mayer, Alice Bruegenhemke, Barbara Kiley, and Doris Higgins; brothers-in-law Jim Stober, Donald Bruegenhemke, and Dick Kiley; son-in-law Andy Grgurich.
George, along with his family, spent many years water dog racing during the summer and coon hunting during the winter. He had several special dogs throughout the years. He kept a tidy farm and loved to have family get-to-togethers for special events and especially for his birthdays. He enjoyed watching and coaching his kids in sports and loved listening to old time music.

George wishes were to be cremated. A family graveside service, with military rites, will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of George may be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or the Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery and mailed to the Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.