John Errol Higginbotham, born in North Platte, NE on February 18, 1949 to Helen Yates Higginbotham and Willie Higginbotham, went peacefully to be with God and his family in heaven on Oct. 10, 2013, surrounded by his much loved family and special friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
John graduated from North Platte High School in 1967 and proudly served in the 1st Calvary of the United States Army from 1969 to 1971. He served in Vietnam and received many medals, including a Bronze Star and Air Medal.
He returned to North Platte, where he and his brother, Daryl were started in business by their loving aunt and uncle, Millie and Roger Grosh. They ran Rogers Restaurant in the community for 40 years, retiring in November 2011.
Preceeding him in death were his father, Willie John Higginbotham; sisters, Marcia, Ronna and Janis Higginbotham; his wife, Jan Higginbotham; and uncle, Roger Grosh.
He is survived by his mother, Helen Higginbotham; brother, Daryl Higginbotham; sisters, Debbie Higginbotham and Lisa Higginbotham Arnold; Jan’s children, Dan and Doug Baker, Jennie, Bart and David Shelton; nieces, Erica and Andrea Kraetz, Cassidy and Savanna Arnold; nephew, Logan Arnold; aunts, Millie Grosh, Florence Yates Peterson and Louise Houghtelling, as well as many grandchildren and cousins. Special friends present at his death were Patty Witham and Denez Lopez.
He is loved by many and will be missed. May God bless his journey.
Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. or the Humane Society. Online condolences may be share at www.carpentermemorial.com. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday with family receiving friends from 6p.m. to 7p.m., prior to the rosary, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.