James Richard Higgins

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Covenant Church. Interment will be held at a later date in Wyuka Cemetery, Nebraska City, NE. Memorials may be directed towards the S.A.L.T. Center.

James Richard Higgins was born in Omaha, NE on August 2, 1937, to the parents of James and Lola (Swift) Higgins. As a young child the family moved to Fort Dodge where Richard graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1955. Following graduation he served in the US Navy until July 1958. After the Navy, he started his retailing and merchandising career with the following companies: McClellan Dime Stores, Clark Discount Stores and Cook United. He started his jewelry career with Service Merchandise Catalogue Showrooms, Wal-mart and JC Penney until retirement in 2018.

Richard always enjoyed a good card game, loved to watch sports and enjoyed spending time with his many nieces and nephews, handing out quarters as he yelled, “Who’s your favorite uncle?!”

Richard was united in marriage to Helen Martina in 1974 and the couple made their home in Oklahoma. After Helen’s death in 2005, Richard moved back to Fort Dodge. In 2012, he was united in marriage to Sheryl Fortune Meyers, she passed away in 2015. In 2022, Richard married Carol Etzel. Richard was a member of First Covenant Church and the Fort Dodge Civitan Club.

Survivors include his wife Carol, his brothers Jerry (Barb) Higgins of Cedar Rapids, IA, Tom (Frankie) Higgins of Seattle, WA, C.B. (Sheryl) Higgins of Fort Collins, CO, sisters, Jane Stewart of Fort Dodge and Jean (Ted) Schleisman of Laurie, MO, brother-in-law Mick Carlson of Nixa, MO. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews waiting for their quarters from Uncle Rich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob Higgins, sisters Judy Carlson and Jill Dawson.