CHARLES H. HIGGS
Pompano Beach, FL Mr. Charles H. Higgs, 91, passed away at his home in Pompano Beach, Florida on the morning of Saturday, December 4, 2021, after a lengthy illness.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Forest Park Cemetery at 3700 St. Vincent Ave. in Shreveport, Louisiana. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Carl Rhoads of First United Methodist Church of Shreveport. Afterwards, all family and friends are invited to attend a luncheon as a celebration of his life at noon at Flames Mediterranean Restaurant on Ashley Ridge. Dress for the service should be casual and weather appropriate.
Charles was born on May 18, 1930, in Stephens, Arkansas, but grew up in Texarkana. He attended Texarkana Junior College and the University of Arkansas. Prior to his college education, he successfully joined the U.S. Marine Corp on his second attempt at the age of 16 by forging his mother’s signature and served in the immediate aftermath of World War 2. He reenlisted and participated in the capture and securing of Seoul and the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in Korea in 1950, receiving the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star and rising to the rank of corporal. He was a proud member of the “Chosin Few,” the Marine Corps League, and the American Legion. He was honored for his service in several ceremonies including at the Independence Bowl, Barksdale Air Force Base, and the American Legion of Deerfield Beach, Florida. He also participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC with other veterans.
Charles pursued a career in sales and finance in Texarkana; Mobile, Alabama; Auburn, Illinois; and Meridian, Mississippi. In 1965, he moved to Shreveport to begin a career with the First National Bank of Shreveport (now part of Chase Bank). He served as a Vice President and Branch Manager until his retirement in 1994.
Charles was an avid golfer, making his first of four “holes-in-one” at the Texarkana Country Club where he had worked as a caddy as a small boy.
He won several tournaments in the Shreveport area and played at Querbes Municipal Golf Course every morning after his retirement.
While in Shreveport, he was an active volunteer helping organizations such as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, First Methodist Church, the Elks Club, the Lions Club, Broadmoor Men’s Club, and The Glen. He enjoyed Texas Hold’em poker and continued playing cards until his passing.
Charles was a resident of Shreveport for 53 years, until moving to Florida in 2018 after the passing of Eleanor Nelson Higgs, his wife of 47 years.
He was a member of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Pompano Beach, Florida, and a beloved neighbor in his senior condo community Leisureville in Pompano Beach.
He was preceded in death by his parents Charles M. and Sallie Ann Higgs of Texarkana and three brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his daughters the Rev. Susan and her husband Robert Smith of Pompano Beach, Florida and Grace and her husband Ion Staicu of Okeechobee, Florida. Other survivors include his sister, Margie Sheldon of Little Rock, Arkansas, and his granddaughters Sarah Waguspack (Grant Waguspack) of Sour Lake, TX and Jennifer Smith (Frank Snodgrass) of Shreveport along with great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, 1111 E. Sample Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33064 to feed the homeless or to the charity of your choice. Any inquiries can be made to OsborneFuneralHome. net.