Jerry M. Higgs, 90, of Sheridan, passed away quietly in the early hours of October 19th, 2018, at his home. He was born in Rushville, Nebraska on January 29th, 1928. He was the son of the late Herbert M. and Emma (Vodicka) Higgs. Jerry was the beloved husband of the late Shirley J. Higgs for 68 years until her death in May of 2018. He was the youngest of 11 siblings.
Jerry moved with his family to Riverton, Wyoming at the age of seven. He attended Riverton schools and he was a member of the graduating class of 1947 in which he was active in FFA. He married Shirley J. Aldridge in Riverton in 1948 and they moved to Sheridan in 1950. Jerry was employed by Ed Hammer Inc. for 41 years. During his life, he was a member of First United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of Elks’ Club 520, a 30 year member of Eagles Lodge #186, and a member of Moose Lodge of Billings, Montana. Jerry was a charter member of the Big Horn Mountain Polka Club, a previous member of 49’ers Dance Club, as well as a member of Jeans & Queens Square Dance Club for 26 years.
Jerry was happiest in a garage, wrench in hand, fixing a transmission or figuring out the source of a brake line leak. He was a “can do” Mr. Fix it and this applied to all aspects of his life. His patience and calm demeanor spilled into his family life and his passion for cars led Jerry and Shirley cross country, taking their budding family on many memorable road trips all across America.
Jerry is survived by his daughter Linda Gundlach and husband Mark, from Albuquerque, New Mexico; his son Ken and wife Becky Higgs, from Sheridan, Wyoming; his granddaughter Kendell Bachman and husband Bobby, from Bozeman, Montana and his 20 month old great-granddaughter Josephine Jane Bachman; and his grandson Levi Higgs and partner Mark Rosen, from New York City. He loved his family, his grandchildren, and great-granddaughter, who especially brought him joy.
A Celebration of Life for Jerry will be held at 1:30 pm Friday, November 2, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 215 W. Works St., in Sheridan, with Pastor Jim Barth officiating. Interment will be held in the Elks Cemetery. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Meals on Wheels at the Sheridan Senior Center (The Hub), 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801 or to the Sheridan Cat and Dog Shelter, 84 East Ridge Rd., Sheridan, WY 82801. Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funereal Home.
