James Andrew Higgins

James A. Higgins, age 89 of Grand Rapids, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The son of Andrew and Gladys (Gitchell) Higgins, he was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1934, in Grand Rapids, MI. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou Higgins; sisters, Patricia (Max) Piatt, Colleen (Fred) Sharphorn, Maureen (Jack) Freel; niece, Shelly Freel; and nephews, Brad Piatt, Scott Ross, and Jeff Ross. Jim is survived by his children, Guy (Roxanne) Higgins, James (Patricia) Higgins, Richard (Danielle) Higgins, Sue (Jeff) Potter; grandchildren, Stephani (Derek), Rebecca (Mike), Jon (Sharon), Sean (Christina), Kaitlin (Shane), Richard, Nicholas, Taylor, Jacob, Dylan; step-grandchildren, Renee, Mike, Regina, Pete, Harmony, Charity; many nieces and nephews; and canine companion, Jimmy. Jim was known for being a precocious child. He put that to good use when he joined the United States Navy at age 17. Jim served on the destroyer ship McNair as a gunner’s mate, during the Korean War. He was a highly decorated Veteran, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, United Nations Medal, and Korean Service Medal. Jim married the love of his life Mary Lou Hazlett in 1956. He was a devoted family man to her and their children, never shying away of sharing his love for them. Jim enjoyed bowling, walking his dog, and was an all-around outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, and boating in Traverse City. Jim lived to hunt! He retired from Darling Trucking after 30 years and moved to Interlochen, where many family filled memories were made. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 5-7pm at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Funeral services will be Friday, April 14, 2023, at 11:00am with visitation one-hour prior. Interment Findlay Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program, at PO Box 81, Wayland, MI 49348 or http://wmvap.org/donate/.