James Higginbotham

HIGGINBOTHAM, JAMES ARNOLD JR.James (Jim) Arnold Higginbotham, Jr., died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in the Vista Care hospice unit at Lovelace Medical Center, Albuquerque, after a long illness. He marked his 90th birthday on April 19, 2012. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Jim served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attaining the rank of staff sergeant in the anti-aircraft artillery corps. After the war, Jim married a nurse, Frances Taylor, from Russell, KY. They marked their 66th wedding anniversary on May 25. Jim attended Ohio State University, earning a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering. He worked for the Ford Company's tractor division until his retirement in 1986. By that time, he had become service manager for North America for Ford's Tractor and Implement Division, in its Troy, Mich., headquarters. He and Frances moved to Albuquerque in 1987 to be near two of their daughters, Kathy (Miguel) Diaz and Jacqui (Charles) Cross. They also raised a third daughter, Bonnie (Kirk) Fraser, Wilmore, Ky., and a son, James A. (Janice) Higginbotham III, Brunswick, Maine. Jim is also survived by nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and one sister, Virginia Jo (Jack) Kemp, Milford, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, James A. and Frances S. Higginbotham; a sister, Rose Giffin, and a brother, Kenneth Higginbotham. Jim was an elder at the Mountainside Church of Christ and was active in a local woodworking group for several years. Friends may visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 9, 2012 at French Lomas Mortuary. A Memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2012 at Mountainside Church of Christ, 12300 Indian School Rd. NE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Albuquerque Christian Children's Home, 5700 Winter Haven Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Please visit the online guestbook for James A. Higginbotham at RememberTheirStory.com.FRENCH10500 Lomas Blvd. NE(505) 275-3500