Helena, Montana – James Higgins passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of November 15, 2024 after a game of racquetball at Crossroads Fitness in Helena, Montana. He was 82 years old. His family would like to thank the staff at Crossroads who rushed to his aid and heroically tried to revive him.
Jim was born in Miles City, Montana on May 8, 1942. He was the fourth son of Esther Elizabeth and Ernest “Ernie” L Higgins. He graduated from Custer County High School in 1960 and went on to graduate from the University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management. During his time in college he served as a member of the National Guard.
In 1970, while working for Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, Jim met his future wife, Marilyn. They were married in 1972. Jim worked for various companies, transferring often, until they eventually settled in Billings, Montana in 1986, where Jim served as the food service director for St. Vincent Healthcare, and they lived there until both their daughters graduated high school. In 2001, Jim took a job as the food service director at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho where he worked until he retired a few years later. In late 2020, Jim and his wife moved to Helena, Montana to be closer to family.
Throughout his life Jim was an avid racquetball player. Notably, he played and won medals in both singles and doubles in the Big Sky State Games in Billings, Montana, Southeast Idaho Senior Games in Pocatello, Idaho, and most recently the Huntsman’s World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. No matter what city Jim lived in he quickly made friends around the racquetball courts and played multiple times a week.
Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. For over two decades, he never missed a year at hunting camp with his brother, Wayne, and nephews. He took his family camping every summer and taught his daughters how to hunt and fish and not drink all the water halfway through a mountain hike. Some of his best fishing stories revolved around an annual salmon fishing trip at Snow Creek Resort in Neah Bay, Washington with his best friend, Monte Szendre, surrounded by both their families.
As much as Jim enjoyed being an uncle, and then a dad, his greatest joy was being a grandpa. Papa Jim could often be found in an epic nerf battle or swinging foam swords with his young grandsons. He would make a 15 hour drive to visit and attend football and baseball games and school programs. In recent years, when living in the same city, you could find him cheering at Capital High Bruin football games and track meets rooting for his oldest grandson James Byron, or at band concerts supporting his youngest grandson, Thomas.
Additionally, Jim loved playing card games with family. He may have struggled with learning new technology, but he could learn the rules to any new card game that was brought to the table; strategy is where he shined. He may have “bent” the rules occasionally and certainly always brought some shenanigans to the game, but he rolled with the cards he was dealt, much like he did in his life. Celebrating the wins and overcoming the losses. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Ernest “Ernie” L Higgins (1909-1965) and Esther Elizabeth Sieler Shaw (1915-2002), and brother: Wayne Leonard Higgins (1938-2019).
Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years: Marilyn Higgins of Helena, MT, daughters: Christina Higgins of Billings, MT and Kelly Byron (Aaron) of Helena, MT, grandsons: James Byron and Thomas Byron of Helena, MT, brothers: Larry Higgins of Helena, MT and Robert Higgins of Casper, WY.
Cremation has taken place and his family plans to scatter his ashes in the places he loved most. A date for a celebration of life has yet to be decided. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s name to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
