Leroy Higginson, Jr.

May 28, 1946 - April 9, 2021

Leroy Higginson, Jr., also affectionally known as Sonny, BaBoo, Grandpa, and Gramps, passed away Friday, April 9th, 2021.  He was 74.

Born in Webster County, Kentucky, on May 28th, 1946, to Rebecca Lee and Leroy Higginson, Sr.  Sonny moved to Lee County, Florida with his family when he was two years old. The family eventually made their home in Alva.   After graduating from Alva High School, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.  There he met Patricia Gray.   After his service during the Vietnam Conflict, Sonny returned to the States and married Patricia Gray in 1972.  They settled in Alva, Florida where they raised four girls.  He went on to work at Florida Power and Light in Control Operations until his retirement.   

Sonny enjoyed the outdoors and loved camping and hunting, spending many weekends at River Ranch.  He was also a talented musician.  Sonny was an amazing tenor and often led worship in his younger years at his local church. Later in life, he combined his love of singing with his passion for guitars and could be found at Karaoke nights playing music with his friends.  He also loved to tinker with almost anything. Family and friends would often find cars, lawnmowers, appliances, and many other items in various stages of rebuild or modification.  He enjoyed sharing his passions with others, especially his grandkids.   

A life-long member of the Church of Christ, Sonny had a strong moral compass in how he led his life.  He was hard working and even stubborn more times than not.  His daughters often called him grouchy pants.  Who wouldn’t be grouchy from time to time with four headstrong daughters?  But under that stubbornness and even exasperation, he was always there when he was needed.  He was a rock and his daughters will miss him deeply. 

Sonny is survived by his four daughters, Candace Rhodes and husband Matthew of Ft. Myers, Jennifer Moore, and husband Scott of Cape Coral, Cindy Wood and husband Kevin of Alva, and Colette Abrahan and husband David of Richmond, TX; a sister, Betty Higginson also of Alva; eight grandchildren, Hunter, Autumn Pepper, Orion, Sirus, Nadia, Atlas, Mileena, and Alexander; his mother-in-law, Nina Jo Gray of Wichita Falls, TX, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Leroy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Higginson in 2018; in addition to two sisters, Linda Connerly and Marjorie Dyess.

Graveside funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the Alva Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Alva, FL 33920 with Pastor Steve Caldwell officiating.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ft. Myers, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Robin Oestreich Apr 15, 2021 at 10:48 am

    See you all there and hopefully I’ll see you all when the earth is new 🙏✝️

  2. Tonya Dyess Apr 15, 2021 at 8:30 pm

    Touching memorial to Uncle Sonny. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.

  3. Laurence Coblentz Apr 16, 2021 at 9:29 am

    God bless this beautiful family

  4. Fred Scott Apr 16, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    Sonny I were schoolmates through elementary , high school and were
    friends. Leroy will be
    missed by his family and many friends. My God bless and comfort his family.

  5. John & Nita Porter Apr 16, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    We are so sorry to lose our
    cousin. Lots of good memories of Higginson reunions.

  6. Sandra "Engle" Ojanovac Apr 18, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    I first met Leroy in 6th grade after my family moved down from Illinois, and we remained classmates all through high school and graduation. He was always a sweet gentle soul and was never mean to anyone. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see him except at reunions, but when I did, he was always the same sweet Leroy. I’m so sorry for his family’s loss, and OUR loss. May God bless and comfort all of you at this time.

  7. Jim and Sandra Murphy Apr 18, 2021 at 7:36 pm

    Jim and Leroy were classmates. To Leroy’s family we extend our condolences. Jim will miss his long time friend. Unfortunately, we are out of town and will not be able to attend his service.

  8. Audrey Whitney and family Apr 19, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    Love and prayers to the family. We were neighbors since 1973. Watched all the girls grow up. One of the nicest neighbors anyone could be luckiest to have. Will be missed.

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