James Robert Higgins

James Robert Higgins, 85, of Hillsboro, passed away March 25, 2018 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Jim was born May 16, 1932 in Traverse City, Mich. to Evelyn Inez (Zimmerman) Higgins and Abraham Lincoln Higgins.

He and his brother George were raised in Cincinnati and attended Withrow High School. While working for Graeter's Ice Cream during high school, Jim claimed he was their highest paid employee due to the copious amounts of ice cream he ate – a talent he retained his entire life. Jim attended and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1954 with a degree in animal science.

Jim met his wife of 55 years, Lois Mary Prucha, at OSU and their first date was spent in the projection booth at Ohio State where Jim was the projectionist. A member of the OSU ROTC, Jim served as a captain in the U.S. Army stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. and was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. After his active duty, Jim and Lois purchased a farm in Highland County where they raised their five children. Jim farmed and also founded the Higgins Construction Company which built over 2,700 buildings in the region. He had numerous interests: aircraft pilot (member of the OSU Flying Farmers of America), SCUBA, beekeeping, apitherapy, traveling, photography, classical music, Christmas tree grower, and was the first professional post frame building contractor in southern Ohio. Jim was a founding member of the National Frame Builders Association, member of the NFBA Board, was a co-owner of Tri-County Implement, past president of the Highland County Beekeepers, and on the board of the American Apitherapy Society. Jim was a dedicated member of the Lynchburg United Methodist Church and Lynchburg Lions Club.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; daughter, Sharon; and brother, George.

Survivors include his children, Cathy Wallach (Tom) of Traverse City, Mich., David (Brenda) of Hillsboro, Ernie Collins (Kitty) of Lynchburg and Laura Sue (David Walters) of Des Moines, Iowa; as well as many grandchildren.

His children will remember his wonderful sense of humor, his many practical jokes, and his love for the Grand Traverse Michigan region (well instilled in all his children). The kids all learned to drive cars at a young age as Jim let them steer the car home from church on Sunday morning down Spickard Road. Jim always had a sweet tooth, fancied himself a professional taste tester and would almost always comment that baked goods from the Higgins kitchen had something wrong with them that required additional sampling to determine the root cause. He was a wonderful whistler, and all of us will remember his signature white hard hat. Most of all he was a caring and loving father who was loved very much by his family.

Memorial services will be held 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at the Lynchburg United Methodist Church. Pastor David Wirth will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday, March 31 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The entire Higgins family wishes to thank our many friends, doctors, nurses and caretakers for their thoughtful care of Jim.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Lynchburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 403, Lynchburg, Ohio 45142.

The Davis-Turner Funeral Home is serving the family.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.