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Ernest Whatley Higgins Jr.
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Ernest Whatley Higgins Jr. Obituary
Ernie was born in Rome, Ga., March 26, 1943. Ernie attended Darlington Academy in Rome and Auburn University. He was the founder of Mr. Natural, an organic soil product company. He later partnered with Bobby and Richard Saul to form ItSaul Natural, LLC, a leader in organic soil, engineered soil, and green roof technology.
Ernie was a member of the Southern Nursery Association, Urban Ag Council, Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA), and a board member of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
Ernie Higgins never met a stranger and maintained a kid-like zest for life for almost 70 years. He was a lifelong learner and loved to help things (and people) grow. He also enjoyed wine making, a good story, live music, and forging new friendships.
A memorial will be held in the Ed Cabell Theatre at Gainesville State College, in Oakwood, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at 2 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Smithgall Woodland Botanical Garden and/or the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Whatley Higgins Jr.
January 23, 2013
May Ernie rest in Peace. We will never forget Ernie and the delightful times we had at events on the property. Take care Chris --Luv Dan and Nancy Roth
January 23, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Al and Carol Streiff
January 17, 2013
Ernie, you are still one of our dearest and most sincere friends we have had the priviledge to know. Your light and love will shine forever. Thank you for your contribution to our lives.
JOEL Gooch
January 17, 2013
We knew Ernie for 21 yrs. Hauled a lot of his product over the years. Ernie was a great person, and enjoyed talking with him over the years. He was not just one of our customers, we thought of him as a very special and dear friend. We were very surprised to hear of his death. He will be missed. Joel and Anette Gooch
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Alfie Vick
January 14, 2013
Ernie was one of the first people to really make me appreciate the value of soil. I learned so much from him and his work, and enjoyed every chance I got to see him, even if it was only once a year at a conference. I will truly miss Ernie.
Ronald and Deborah Couch
January 10, 2013
We sooo loved and admired That Ernie !!! A wunderful friend to all who had the great pleasure of knowing him !!! We have been friends for many years and was truly Blessed to have shared our lives with him !! We love you to Chris !! If you need our help just call !!! I am sure Ernie will be waiting by THE RIVER for us !!!!
Janet Faust
January 10, 2013
My heart aches for Ernie's family, especially his wife who he spoke of so highly and fondly. He was a kindred spirit to so many of us in the greenroof industry and will be missed immensely.
Sally & Gary
January 9, 2013
Chris, thinking of you and your family. Ernie was such a wonderful guy and friend. But you already know this... He entertained with gusto and charm each and every time at your magical, mystical land and home. He was a pure delight, welcoming one and all. He will truly be missed - but remembered with fondness.
Much Love
Art Gibert
January 9, 2013
I did not know Ernie very well, having met him at this or that landscape seminar or green roof class over the past ten years or so, but I sure did enjoy his company. He was the genuine article. Generous, kind, outgoing, smart, funny, optimistic- these are just a few of the many "good" adjectives that described Ernie Higgins. He told good jokes. He enjoyed himself and that was infectious. He liked to buy you a drink, and he'd let you buy one for him, too, sometimes. Dang, I was looking forward to the next time I saw him! We'll miss you here, Ernie- that's for sure. I hope your friends and family celebrate your life with a New Orleans-style party, 'cause I bet that's what you'd want- no sad faces anywhere in sight. Well, take care, pal- if there's a Heaven, you'll be there, so I hope I make it too.
DuPre and Manella Calhoun
January 8, 2013
We hold you and your family close during these days ahead. We will miss Ernie even though we did not get to be with you all as much as we would have liked.
Dan Calhoun
January 7, 2013
A hard days work was never more fun than when it was spent with Ernie. Just when you thought that enough had been squeezed out of the day, sure enough, there was one more project to get to. The reward (after the sun was long gone!) was wonderful food, drink, tall tales and laughter by the old hardworking little river. The spirit that flowed through Ernie is one that cannot be forgotten or shook loose, even if you wanted it to be. Ernie made it a goal to reduce the degrees of separation among all he met, never letting hyperbole get in the way. Cheers to those brought together by our mutual larger than life friend. Let's go burn something for the good Dr.!
G. Freeman
January 7, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Chuck Mauldin
January 7, 2013
Nobody could talk "dirt" like you, Earnie! I'll truly miss your enthusiastic personality and wit. Heaven will be a greener place with you there. Rest in peace my friend.
Bill Brigham
January 7, 2013
Without Ernie the Atlanta City Hall Greenroof project would not be the success that it is today. He was truly one of the "champions" in the Green industry and one who will be sorely missed. A good friend, colleague and constant source of energy, amazement and good humor. I am so glad to have known Dr. Dookie.
Old Dudes Road Trip Sept.2012
Tom Kopsco
January 7, 2013
The "Old Dudes Road Trip" won't be the same without you buddy..Rest in peace my friend.I will miss you.
January 7, 2013
My condolences ato the family and may you draw strength from the bible 1peter 5;7.
Randy & Janet Eccles
January 7, 2013
A great man, a legend in his own time.
He will be missed by so many.
LP
January 7, 2013
May the GOD who comforts all comfort you in your time of pain and grief. (2corinth. 1:3) May your fond memories of him bring you comfort and peace.
David Hadary
January 6, 2013
Knowing Ernie Higgins was great good luck. He had the humility and compassion that comes of experience, yet he remained courageously confident in pursuit of his win-win-win vision for everyone. I admired Ernie for his grit. He had the grit to stand up for folks and the grit to stand up for justice and the grit to get things done no matter the odds. Ernie was unbelievably generous. I've been the beneficiary of the proverbial shirt off his back many times in many ways, and I know countless others have too. Ernie introduced me to some of the best people I've ever met. To judge Ernie by the company he kept earns our friend Ernie Higgins a place in the spotlight at the top of the heap. I loved Ernie's company. Visiting with Ernie was uplifting and uproarious. Knowing Ernie was profoundly rewarding. Ernie Higgins' friendship will stand as one of the best things life sent my way.
korey smith
January 6, 2013
i just wanna say i'm so sorry and i just found out, he truly will be greatly missed...my b/f use to work with him a long time ago and was very close to him for a number of years..
Dearl and Glenda Jarrard
January 6, 2013
Ernie was a great friend and neighbor to us. We will always remember his kindness
and generosity. He will be terribly missed.
Angus Anderson
January 6, 2013
Ernie (Ernest Whatley Higgins) and I have been friends for fifty years, so we qualify as old friends. You could say Really Old Friends. We joined geezerdom together. In some senses we were soul brothers, but in others totally opposite individuals. Maybe that is what made our friendship long lasting and genuine. We admired the parts of the other that we found lacking in ourselves and cherished the differences that made each of us unique.
Old friends, like Ernie and I were, know our stories. They can attest to the ways we have surmounted past difficulties, while comprehending what still dogs us. Old friends are familiar with such a broad swath of our lives that they prompt a wider perspective. In a real sense, old friends grant us views of ourselves that we cannot obtain on our own. The timeless quality old friends feel upon being reunited derives from having once been young together. As time passes, we notice aspects of old friends we never appreciated before. That is what made the friendship that I had with Ernie so long lasting, strong and so very special.
We all grieve the loss of Ernie. But, to grieve is to experience a relationship. Although it isn't easy, I have truly cherished experiencing all of the aspects of my relationship with Ernie through my grieving.
Janet Eccles
January 6, 2013
Although my husband has known Ernie for many years, for almost 5 years, I've had the pleasure of knowing his funny, highly intelligent, bonfire extraordinaire, and Southern Gentleman. He was a witness at our small wedding ceremony and has been like family to all of us Eccles. We will miss him terribly.
January 6, 2013
Ernie was one of two witnesses at our tiny wedding ceremony. He was a man with a generous heart. Randy and I will always feel blessed to have known this funny, intelligent, Southern Gentleman. We miss you sweet friend.
Patrick Ledford
January 6, 2013
Although I didn't know Ernie for long, he was a good friend. He always had a smile on his face. I'll miss him.
January 6, 2013
I am contemplating life without Ernie Higgins and it seems a little less... complete(which seems inadequate, but all I can come up with). Someone asked me recently if it was okay to think of Ernie in terms of the property he shared with Chris at the end of Butler road. I said: Yes. Ernie was a part of the land and the land was a part of Ernie. He loved every square inch of it. And he shared it so graciously and lovingly.
For me, Ernie was like a favorite Uncle that hosted the yearly family reunion. I don't know that I have ever FULLY appreciated exacty how precious those times with Ernie at the end of Butler Road were. I knew they were special at the time; I knew there was some magic at work there; but I don't think I have, until now, realized how important to me they were.
I could, like most everyone that has been there, tell lots of stories of how Ernie Higgins changed my life while I visited his little bend in the river. I was married there... Got my current job there... Some of my favorite memories are from there... the music, the food, the fantastic array of people "Uncle Ernie" adopted into his family... I think he might have given a welcoming hug to every single person that ever set foot on that property... and to have Ernie Higgings smile at you and listen to you like you were the center of the known universe was one of the best experiences in the world. He was one of the most open, generous, genuine people I have ever met. I will so miss the man.
Tim Pendleton
January 6, 2013
Love and Miss you Ernie. Thanks for the Wonderful Memories.
Tim Pendleton
January 6, 2013
Love you and Miss you Ernie, Thanks for the Memories.
Dale Gillespie
January 6, 2013
Ernie was a great man and friend who will truly be missed! He made his mark on on our hearts! He left his great legacy trail all across our country.
Philip West
January 6, 2013
A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands are now at rest. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Mark Eccles
January 5, 2013
Farewell my friend. You will be greatly missed.
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