James Lindsay Higgins, 83, of Ringling, Montana, died of natural causes at the nursing home in Mountainview Medical Center in White Sulphur Springs where he had been a resident the past year and a half.
Jim was born on April 19, 1935, in Harlowton, Mt to Mary and Walter Higgins. He was raised on the family ranch with his four brothers, George, Bill, Don and Gerry. There he attended Tip Top country school and, then, graduated from Bozeman High School in 1953. He spent a year studying at Pullman, Washington, and returned to his home state, where he graduated from Montana College in Bozeman with degrees in Animal Science and Range Management. During his college years, he developed a love of flying. He was a proud member of the college flying team that took third in a national competition. Flying brought him complete joy his entire life – it is where he was most at home.
The greatest love of his life was his wife, Gerri Wieferich. The young couple met in Ringling, where Gerri spent summers working for her sister and brother-in-law on their farm. Jim and Gerri were married in the Canton Valley Church, near Townsend, on June 16, 1956. They resided in Bozeman until Jim finished college and then returned to the Higgins Brothers Ranch in Ringling.
Jim and Gerri raised their two daughters, Rhonda and Nancy, on the ranch instilling their love of the land in both girls. They all worked together as a family, including countless nieces and nephews who spent summers on the ranch. Times were not always easy, but Jim and Gerri worked hard to keep the family ranch together making many sacrifices along the way. Jim’s love of the ranch included years of showing registered Herefords and selling top quality bulls throughout the Northwest. As he moved toward retirement, he welcomed Nancy and his son-in-law, Chris Schlepp, back to the ranch where he was a patient teacher. He taught them everything they needed to know to pass the family legacy down to the next generation
Jim loved having a good time. The girls and their friends spent countless hours with Jim pulling them on the sled behind the pickup. He would let them jump on broken straw bales in the barn, and he also made pulling and spraying weeds seem fun. One of his favorite yearly events was being the referee of the local 4th of July tug-of-war held across Sixteen Mile Creek. Jim loved all kinds of music. He had an extensive record collection from big bands to Christmas music, and he never missed a chance to take Geri dancing. He also loved hosting parties and events; while Gerri was the cook, Jim was the “behind the scenes” organizer.
In his later years, Jim loved art, traveling, and watching the geese on the pond out the living room window. During retirement, Jim and Gerri spent time traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. He loved old barns—accruing a collection of photos and paintings. He also loved restoring antiques including wagons and cars. Jim found it important to pass on his family’s history and spent hours transferring old family videos and reels to discs, documenting every special occasion. Jim was also passionate about spending time with his three grandchildren, Sarah, Ethan, and Dawson. Countless hours were spent reading books, digging in the dirt, visiting the cows and horses, conducting science experiments, and exploring. He loved watching them grow, never missed a sporting event, and was proud of their accomplishments.
Jim was a member of the local school board, active in Montana Stockgrowers, Montana Farm Bureau and the Meagher County Conservation District. He also served on the St. Bartholomew Parish Council for many years. He is described by his family and friends as kind, hardworking, encouraging, patient, and a good neighbor. He was a humble man that helped many over the years without expecting anything in return. He was a true gentleman.
Jim is survived by his brothers Don Higgins and Gerry (Ella) Higgins; daughter Nancy (Chris) Schlepp; grandchildren Sarah Schlepp, Ethan Schlepp, Dawson Schlepp; and also, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers George Higgins and Bill Higgins; wife Geri Higgins; and daughter Rhonda Higgins.
Donations can be made in his memory to the White Sulphur Spring FFA Chapter to continue agriculture education, the Meagher County Historical Society, the Meagher County Senior Center, or Mountainview Medical Center activities fund. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the medical professionals and staff that took excellent care of Jim at Mountainview Medical Center.
Public viewing will take place beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service, with sharing, to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 20 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 407 2nd Ave SE in White Sulphur Springs. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 21 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. A luncheon reception will follow the Mass at the Roadhouse, 904 3rd Ave SW in White Sulphur Springs
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday July 20, 2018
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Avenue SE
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Friday July 20, 2018
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Avenue SE
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 21, 2018
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Avenue SE
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Reception
Following the Mass
Saturday July 21, 2018
Roadhouse
904 3rd Ave SW
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday July 20, 2018
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Avenue SE
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Friday July 20, 2018
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Avenue SE
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 21, 2018
St. Bartholomew Catholic Church
407 2nd Avenue SE
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Reception
Following the Mass
Saturday July 21, 2018
Roadhouse
904 3rd Ave SW
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Share
Jeanne Gilman says
Jim. His name evokes a handsome, kind gentleman with a bright, kind smile and a melodious voice. What an amazing husband, father and grandpa he was. People who were part of Jim’s life are very rich for having been so.
Vic Anderson says
Working for Jim and Gerri on their ranch near Ringling was one of the especially good times in my life. Jim and Gerri were family people. They knew that time with your children, working in the hayfields, being involved with all the ranching duties, doing all sorts of things together, helps keep families close. They were both good, hard working, strong, gentle, happy, people. Many of my best memories happened there, working and playing alongside Jim, Gerri and their daughters, Rhonda and Nancy. Barn dances, watching Golden Eagles hatch out and grow, bull sales, stopping for a hamburger at the Ringling Bar, calving, hooking up and driving a team to take family and friends on a hay ride, checking how the irrigation water was covering the ground from Jims airplane and many other memories. Jim and Gerri, we’ll miss you.
George L Hledik says
I lived in Ringling With my Dad George W Hledik ( Section foreman Milwaukee road ) I to worked on the Milwaukee rd. Since I loved flying and was a pilot myself I got a few rides from Jim. My dad and i also gave the Higgin’s ranch lots of used railroad ties. Jim was a nice man and a good soul. The world, Meagher county and Ringling has lost a fine man.
Bill K. Mora says
I attended Gallatin Co. High school with Jim and then MSC. He was a serious focused guy but ne was a great conversationalist . I always looked for him at HS reunions because he was so interesting and sincere to talk to and listen to. I never go to obituaries when I get on the internet but I guess the LORD had his hand on my laptop today cause I found out about losing an old friend. My best to Jim’s family. He certainly will be missed by many!
Neal E Warber says
Nancy and Chris. Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing and so soon after Gerri and Rohnda. I first met Jim and Gerri when my father passed away in 1978. He had worked on the ranch before retiring to White Sulpher. After we moved to Troy, MT in 2001 we came over to hunt Antelope on the ranch and visited with them every time and was always welcomed. It will be different without them but they will be remembered. Their earthly troubles are now over and with the Lord.
God Bless.
Mike Rhynard says
Jim Higgins was one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. We will truly miss his gentle, unassuming manner.