Jerry Rufus Higginbotham's Obituary
Jerry Rufus Higginbotham
April 25, 1937 – March 24, 2017
Lakewood, WA
Jerry R. Higginbotham, 79, of Lakewood, Washington, passed away at 7:03 am on Friday, March 24, 2017.
Born in 1937 and raised on a farm in Oneonta, Alabama, Jerry received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Jacksonville State University, fulfilled his dream of becoming a high school teacher, and enrolled in the Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corp—all before the age of 23. Jerry dedicated the next 29 years of his life to his country, honorably serving on three continents during both war- and peacetime. After earning numerous service and campaign medals plus attaining the rank of Colonel, he retired from Fort Lewis in 1988.
After retirement, Jerry explored the Pacific Northwest, partaking in fishing charters from Neah Bay, hiking Mount Rainier, muzzleloader hunting on the Olympic Peninsula, and skiing in the Cascades. In recent years, he was content rooting for the Seahawks, Mariners, Huskies, Vols, and Tide from his favorite recliner with his beloved Pug, Kuma.
Jerry was also a loyal friend and steadfast family man. He is deeply missed by many friends and family members, including his wife, Kyoko (Kawakami) Higginbotham; his children, Laura (John) Watz, Teresa (Jeff) Pierce, Mark (Margie) Higginbotham, and Kathie (Mark) O’Hanlon; four grandchildren; and brother, Roger Higginbotham. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Faye (Whitley) Higginbotham, and his sister, Patricia Johnson.
Graveside service with military funeral honors will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery at 9:00 am on Friday, March 31, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org). Special thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Franciscan Hospice House for the loving care and beautiful quilt they provided for Jerry.
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