Brian Thomas Higginbotham

1963 - 2025

Brian Thomas Higginbotham

November 14, 1963 - June 15, 2025

Brian Thomas Higginbotham, age 61, of Council Bluffs, passed away on June 15, 2025.

He was born on November 14, 1963, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Robert "Bob" and Mary Jo "JoJo" Higginbotham. Brian married Lynn (Jacobs) Higginbotham on August 10, 1991. He worked as a Senior Project Manager for HGM Associates Inc.

Brian was preceded in death by his father, Robert "Bob" Higginbotham, in 1988, and his mother, Mary Jo "JoJo" Higginbotham, in 2022; father-in-law Charlie Jacobs.

He is survived by his wife Lynn; treasured daughter, Macy; two golden doodles, Harley and Herschel; godson Jeff (Katherine) Schuurmans, of Green Bay, WI; brothers Brad (Patti) Higginbotham, and Greg (Dena) Higginbotham, both of Council Bluffs; mother-in-law Evelyn Jacobs, of Council Bluffs; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Theresa and Cal Jacobs of Elkhorn, NE; nephews and nieces Garret (Rachel) Higginbotham, Abbey (Mike) Redshaw, Nathan Higginbotham, Alex (Maggie) Higginbotham, Kate (Adam) Sherwin, and Alison (fiancé Jeff) Schlotfeld; aunts Timee Higginbotham, Linda Stewart, Johanna Homan, Sandy Homan, and Julie Homan; uncle Denny Higginbotham; dear friends Bob (Beth) Schuurmans of Green Bay, WI; Jim (Meredith) Albracht of Overland Park, KS; Chris Ackerson of Twin Lakes, WI; Bailey and Carter White of Council Bluffs; and countless other friends and neighbors.

Affectionately known as "Higgs," Brian grew up in Council Bluffs and graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He and Lynn spent several years living in Green Bay, WI, from 1990 to 1998 and 2005 to 2007, where Brian followed his favorite team, the Green Bay Packers, and worked as a Senior Engineer for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation- his "awesome" work family. His career there included design and construction management for major State highway projects, interchange systems, and urban and rural roadway reconstruction. Brian also worked for Mead & Hunt in Green Bay.

Brian worked for HGM Associates Inc. in Council Bluffs from July 1998 to October 2005 as a Senior Design Engineer and Senior Project Manager from February 2007 to the Present, where he proudly was the lead engineer overseeing the design and construction administration of State and Local highway projects. He was responsible for managing project development from concept through construction, ensuring compliance with all applicable standards and regulations.

Above all, Brian's greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was being Macy's dad. He instilled in her his unwavering Catholic faith, conservative common-sense values, love of math, playing the card game Sheepshead, and a deep passion for fishing. He attended every one of her activities with pride and awe- whether it was watching her cheer at

sporting events (where he learned most of the cheers himself), sitting in the rain at soccer games, supporting her roles in musicals and choir, or helping with school projects. Watching Macy graduate from his beloved alma mater, Iowa State University, and becoming an elementary teacher brought him endless happiness and pride. He always said, "Macy was born to teach. Her love of kids and her happy, fun personality are infectious." Brian especially loved Christmas time- decorating the house with what seemed like over 1,000 lights on the exterior- "all for Macy," he'd say. He made us watch the movie Christmas Vacation every year, as Clark Griswold was his mentor. Christmas Eve was his favorite (although Thanksgiving was a close second): going to mass, taking Macy to a fancy restaurant afterwards, coming home and watching her open one gift, and reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Yet to Brian, every day felt like Christmas because Macy was, in his words, "our gift from God."

He cherished his time at Clitherall Lake in Minnesota, where boating and fishing were "his jam." A lifelong follower of all things military, Brian would have done anything to serve in the Army. He was a movie buff who could quote lines from many movies and had an extraordinary memory.

To Lynn and Macy, Brian was the smartest man alive- able to solve any math problem, tie every kind of knot, and fix about anything (except cars). He loved cooking for family and friends. His favorite TV cooking mentor was Ree Drummond on the Food Network and also watching The Kitchen as his inspiration. Even while in hospice at home, he was planning for "Lynn" (LOL!) to prepare a menu of nachos, pizzas, and a charcuterie board, telling her with his dry wit, "We seem to be having a lot of visitors lately." He was always ready to entertain and have a good time.

Brian was a sweet and thoughtful person. While he often aspired to a "military mindset," he was a teddy bear at heart. We'll deeply miss his wit, his ability to find humor in any moment, and the quiet strength he brought to every part of our family.

Please remember Brian for how he lived and his impact on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. May his memory be a blessing to you, and may we all carry forth his humor, love, and compassion in all that we do. We love and miss you, Brian. May you rest in peace and have fun in heaven with your dad, mom, Jill, and so many others-until we meet again one day.

Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home, 545 Willow Avenue.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4 Valley View Drive. A luncheon will immediately follow the Mass in the St. Patrick Church Social Hall. Interment will follow the luncheon in Memorial Park Cemetery in Council Bluffs.

Memorials are suggested to Saint Albert Catholic Schools, 400 Gleason Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503; and/or Wings of Hope Cancer Support Center, 427 E. Kanesville Blvd #202, Council Bluffs, IA 51503.