VASSAR, Kan. – James Floyd Higgins, 85, passed away Aug. 26, 2024, at his home near Vassar, Kan. He was born Sept. 24, 1938, in Plattsmouth, Neb., the son of Walter ‘Skip’ and Helen (Snodgrass) Higgins.
Jim, or Jimmy, as he was known to most, was raised primarily in Leavenworth, Kan. Jim served in the U.S. Army Reserves in the late 1950s.
He went to work at Hallmark Cards, in Leavenworth, where he met the love of his life, Janet Ann Kelley. They were married on March 14, 1959, and had two daughters Angelique and Michele.
The family was transferred to Topeka, Kan., with Hallmark Cards, where he was a mechanical engineer department manager until his retirement. They built their dream home near Vassar close to his retirement, and resided there except for a couple of years when they moved to McLouth, Kan. Jim moved back to Vassar to live with his daughter, Michele, and her husband, Chuck, who reside next door to the ‘Home Place’ since after Janet’s death in 2020.
Jim was an avid bird hunter, gardener, and all-around handyman who could build and or fix just about anything. He enjoyed training and watching his bird dogs work and telling everyone his “hunting” stories. In retirement, Jim and Janet were able to fulfil their dream of traveling, including visiting many foreign countries.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Janet, of 61 years; daughter, Angelique Grady; parents, Walter and Helen; and four brothers, Ed, Ted, Roger and Terry Higgins.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Michele (Chuck) Loeffler, of Vassar; son-in-law, Jon (Jennifer) Grady, Mission, Kan.; two brothers, Gary (Joann) Higgins and Dennis (Mary) Higgins, of Easton, Kan.; sister, Janice (Jamie) Dill, of Nebraska; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar. The family will receive friends 1:30-2:15 p.m., at the church. Services will be streamed at https://bit.ly/m/zionvassar for those unable to attend.
Memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
