James Lee Higginbotham February 24, April 27, 2019

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1 PHONE: (972) James Lee Higginbotham February 24, April 27, 2019 James Lee Higginbotham of Plano, Texas passed away on April 27, 2019 at the age of 79. He was born on February 24, 1940 to James Leonard and Eunice (King) Higginbotham in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in Oak Cliff where he spent his youth throwing a newspaper route near the Dallas Zoo, swimming in the Trinity River and Lake Cliff Park pool, and having as many adventures outside as possible. He graduated from Adamson High School in Oak Cliff, where he played football, ran track, swam competitively and was on the ROTC Rifle Team. James proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart Sara Wilbanks in The first in his family to graduate from college, he earned a BS in Physics with Honors from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta Honor Society and Epsilon Nu Theta Engineering Honor Society. After graduation, he worked as an engineer for seven years in the Dallas aerospace and electronics industry at Ling Temco Vought and Texas Instruments before devoting over 33 years working for the Department of Defense as an engineer and senior manager for Defense Contract Management Command. He specialized in slashing red tape and saved taxpayers millions of dollars over his career. He also taught college level physics and mathematics for over 10 years in Dallas County Community Colleges. James was devoted to his family, his neighbors and his community. He was instrumental in implementing flood control measures with the installation of gabion walls along the creek in his neighborhood in the 1980 s and served on the Caddo Park Neighborhood Planning Project. He worked tirelessly to implement property tax freezes in Plano for elderly residents and advocated for the addition of a sidewalk along Independence Parkway for students walking home. He was generous with both his time and his resources, once giving away his car to an elderly friend that he made at the farmer s market. He loved a good hamburger, barbecue, classic cars, classic rock-and-roll, desserts of all kinds, chocolate with cold milk, everything Sara cooked, and all things Texas. He was a devoted son, husband, and father, and a mentor to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, students, friends and neighbors. He was the master of helping his kids with science fair projects, teaching them to ride bikes and later to drive. Despite working two jobs for many years, he made worrying about his children another full-time job. He was a human GPS and loved to draw colorful, detailed maps for any family member traveling

2 anywhere. He was the quintessential do-it-yourselfer around the house. He had a wicked sense of humor and loved delighting family and friends with magic tricks. He loved to make rules, but never met a rule that applied to him. His motto in life was Live simply, so that others may simply live, and he did, always putting others first. James is survived by his loving wife of over 61 years, Sara Higginbotham of Plano, Texas; son, James Lynn Higginbotham of Plano, Texas; daughters, Dena Freeman of Allen, Texas, Beth Dewese (Andy) of Plano, Texas and Laurie Higginbotham (Jamal Alsaffar) of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren, Mark Jr., Matthew, Jason, Jack, Luke, and Isabella; and three great grandchildren, Hannah, Mark III and Lizzy; brother, Jerald Higginbotham of Florida; sister, Elsie Smallback of California; and numerous other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 3, 2019 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Dallas, Texas. Memorials Beth, With deepest Sympathy, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It is apparent that the loss of your Father is shared by many who knew him and his loving generous ways. I am sad I never met him, but I can see you carry his traits, and he would be so proud of you. Our caring thoughts are with you, much more than words can tell. I just wanted to let you know, how very much we care, may you feel the strength of God, as we hold you close in our prayers. DEE & Tony DEE DOKES GRIFFIN, MAY 3, 2019 Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know you are very close in every thought and prayer. I admire Uncle James for his strength of character and his faith. May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. ANGELA HIGGINBOTHAM MCCALLY, MAY 2, 2019 I'm so sorry for your loss. James was a great man, he will be missed by many. Love y'all! RON BEAVER, MAY 2, 2019 Thinking of you Dena and wishing you moments of peace and comfort as you remember your daddy and such a great man. Prayers for the entire family. PENNY WESTBURY, MAY 2, 2019

3 Aunt Sara, Lynn, Dena, Beth & Laurie - We are so very sorry for your loss and are keeping you in our prayers. Uncle James was a very special man and member of our family who will be greatly missed. Our love to you all. MILES & LEE ANNE PEVETO, MAY 2, 2019 Please accept our heartfelt condolences and prayers. Mr. Jim Higginbotham, Sr., was a very respectful leader at our DCMA office. He will be missed. I understand it will be huge loss. Remember all the fun times you had with him. I worked with Mr. Higginbotham in Richardson office. Now I work with Jim H. Jr. in McKinney. SUJATA WADHWANI, MAY 2, 2019 James, I wish I could have gotten to know you more as I see you are and always have been a soulful, interesting and wise man. I will honor your memory as an aunt, reminding your grandkids regularly of the incredible man and presence that you were and are. Rest in eternal peace and all my love. ALIA ALSAFFAR, MAY 1, 2019 I love you Dad! I never realized how hard it would be for you to go through fighting this horrible cancer. Never imagined the pain you would endure from this relentless animal that claimed your life. But I m thankful that I was there with you & Mom, trying to make sure you were taken care of, to ask the doctors questions trying to be an advocate for you. You taught all of us the true meaning of being selfless, of giving back to your family & friends. You were always there for anyone who was sick, hurt, needed help on a project. We miss you terribly. I m glad you are no longer in pain. What a horrible, relentless disease. It took a wonderful, special man from his family. I remember being little and watching through the door slats and screen door, looking for your feet to show up when you came home from work. I love you always, Dad! BETH DEWESE, MAY 1, 2019 I just wanted to send you my condolences and let you know that I'm praying for you in father's passing. JUANITA MAGEE, APRIL 30, 2019 I am so sorry for your family's loss. My deepest condolences. His love and

4 light shine through -- my beautiful friend Laurie - and I feel sure, many others whose lives he touched. PATTY HOENIG, APRIL 29, 2019 Dear Dena and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Dena, your daddy sounds like an amazing man any of us would be proud to know. With love, Erin England Ross John Abston Chapter, NSDAR ERIN ROSS, APRIL 29, 2019 May your memories of this wonderful man comfort you all during this difficult time. Hugs and prayers. MARY JANE TOUCHSTONE, APRIL 29, 2019 May God give comfort to the family during this time of sorrow. SONYA KING, APRIL 29, 2019 Sherry and I can't really express how sad we are at James' passing. He was the ultimate friend after Lou's death and his efforts to make sure I was okay were very much appreciated. We wish we could be there on Friday but a trip from TN to TX is not possible until later in the year. We send our love to Sara and family. CONNIE HARVEY, APRIL 29, 2019 Laurie & family, I am sending you peace, love and strength as you navigate the loss of such a great man. Dads are special to us strong girls and reading your dad's obituary I see he imprinted his strength of character and heart onto you and I can see it in the person you are in the world. Sending you love, peace and strength during this time. Only Love Prevails, TAMMY STANLEY, APRIL 29, 2019 Aunt Sara & Family, Just wanted to say that we are very sorry for your loss. We love you all and are praying for peace and comfort for you all. Let us know if we can help out in any way. Tommy, Kellie,Brady &Logan THOMAS L WILBANKS, APRIL 29, 2019

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