LARY GALE HIGGINS

RURAL DADE COUNTY- A Celebration of Life was held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Pink Infusion Studio in Lockwood for Lary Gale Higgins, 79, Rural Dade County, who died in the early morning of Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, with the love of his life by his side.

Arrangements were under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include his wife of almost 57 years, Mary; his mother, Nellie Mae; children, Mark Higgins and wife Patty and Jalyn Lair and husband Jimmy; grandchildren, Blake Higgins and wife Paige, Briel Higgins and husband Kory, Christopher Lair and wife Madelynn and Martina Blessant; a great-grandchild, Zander Higgins; his best friend, Randy Cameron, an aunt, Lorene Higgins and multiple cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father Gale and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mr. Higgins was born Aug. 25, 1943, to Gale (Clarence) and Nellie Mae (Cones) Higgins. He was an only child, but sent his childhood surrounded by his cousins. Hunting, fishing and causing mischief, the Higgins and Hagins boys had no shortage of adventures. He grew up on the farm and attended Lockwood High School, playing and lettering in varsity football all four years. After graduation he attended a technical school in Kansas City, studying to be a mechanic. While living in Kansas City through the week, he spent his weekends burning up the streets of Barton and Dade counties in a variety of beautiful cars.

In December of 1966, he married Mary Elizabeth Wright in Springfield and together they continued to burn up the roads between Kansas City and home, including a few drag races along the way. After settling back in Dade County they welcomed two children, Mark Higgins and wife Patty of Miami, Okla. and Jalyn Lair and husband Jimmy of Callaway, Fla. Mr. Higgins spent many years driving a big rig and enjoyed going on rides up until the week before his death when his health didn't allow it.

His love of the outdoors led him into raising hunting dogs - bird dogs, coon hounds, beagles and fox hounds became his passion. He spent many years running dogs and sitting around talking with RD, Floyd and Travis. He was one of the last hugely talented dog guys. Raising his kids to be out hunting, fishing and running hounds naturally transitioned to the grandkids. As his health started to decline, Lary spent less time with the hounds and more time with his family and grandkids. Blake, Briel and Christopher spent most of their summers fishing from the branch down the road from the farm or going with grandpa to eat and visiting Doo Dad's flea market in El Dorado Springs.

Mr. Higgins never met a stranger and was surrounded by his friends that he would do anything for. He was the type of man to give away all he had to someone in need and if someone was hungry, he always fed them. As a young adult his love of hunting attracted the attention of a young neighbor boy, Randy Cameron, who would spend the next 55 years as his best friend and hunting/fishing companion.

In 2020, his one and only great grandchild was born. Zander brought an enormous amount of joy to his life as his health continued to fail. In 2017 he gained an additional granddaughter through adoption and this one shared his birthday. He and Martina became quick partners in crime and enjoyed spending their birthday together causing trouble.