Garry Wayne Higgins was born to Guy Higgins and Florence (Orman) Higgins in Shenandoah on February 17, 1946. He passed at his home in Rippey on July 18, 2024.
Garry grew up in Shenandoah alongside his brothers and sisters. Garry, the fourth child of Guy and Florence, was the baby until they welcomed their fifth child, Carol Ann. Garry attended Shenandoah schools where he made lasting friends and met his wife.
Garry was united in marriage to Lois Eileen (Hagedorn) Higgins on August 8, 1963. Garry enlisted in the Navy in 1963 and Garry and Lois moved to Long Beach, CA, where Garry was stationed. Garry found a true love for military life while in the Navy. He served as a yeoman on the USS Kearsarge, then as a radio and logistics operator on the USS Ticonderoga during Vietnam. Garry had several fond memories of Navy life.
Garry and Lois welcomed three children into the world during his time in the Navy, Timothy Martin Higgins, Krisie Lynn Higgins, and Mark Wayne Higgins. They lived in many places during their time in the military, such as Greal Lakes Naval Base, Lemoore Naval Air Station, and San Diego Naval Base. Garry also spent 32 years in the Army National Guard, where he served as a recruiter, and many other duties including a volunteer stint in Operation Desert Storm with the 1133rd Transportation Division out of Mason City.
Later in life Garry and Lois settled in Rippey, and became faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. After Garry’s retirement from the Navy he reentered the work force when he became a security guard for Pioneer in Johnston. His love for military type life was never far from his mind and as a security guard that allowed him to have a small taste of that.
He was a long-time gun enthusiast and taught gun safety at different times throughout his life, and loved to share his love of shooting with others. He taught each of his children and many of his grandchildren how to shoot and the importance of gun safety. Garry was always one to lend his services to any organization he thought could do some good and make a difference. He was an elder at Trinity Lutheran Church, a city council member in Rippey, and a member of the fire department in Rippey. He was as steadfast as they come in his beliefs, his morals, and reliability.
Preceding Garry in death were his parents Guy and Florence; his brothers Carl and Verlin; his beloved wife Lois; and his grandson Zachary. He is survived by his sisters Cora Lucille Joseph, and Carol Ann (Higgins) Taylor and Dan of Shenandoah; his children Kristie Lynn Higgins of Shenandoah, and Mark Wayne Higgins and his wife Lois of Coin; sister-in-law, Rita Kay (Hagedorn) Jenkins and Chuck Vandever; 13 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and many friends and extended family.
Garry was a strong and steadfast man, who will be greatly missed by so many. His faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Garry’s proclaimed Hero ensures his life everlasting in Heaven.
A memorial service will be held August 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson. Burial will take place at a later date at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, 515-386-2171.
