Jack Higgins

On October 5, 1936, in a small town in Alabama a child was born to Issac and Nettie Higgins. He was named Jack. Jack grew up on a farm and he went to local school until he graduated in 1955. After graduating high school he enrolled in the Navy for the United States of America and served his country. He served his time in the Pacific Islands.

Jack moved to northeast Atlanta Georgia after his service in the Navy. He began work at Precision Paints and it was there that he met the woman he would marry. After marrying Dorothy Little, they had three daughters. With a family this size, Jack needed all the money he could get. Jack held down three jobs to support his family. Some days he was so tired but still, he went on to his second job and or third job.

Being a good father was of the most importance to him. And if working three jobs was what he had to do then so it was. He worked several years this way and then applied at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. He had his hands in the warehouse area and in the office area of the organization. He preferred the warehouse best. He worked for Pfizer for 31 years and then retired. After living in Alpharetta for 32 years, he and his wife relocated to Woodstock, Georgia in 2004.

Jack Higgins was a wonderful example of what a leader should be and he was also a daddy. As little girls and as grown women, his daughters have always admired his wisdom and knowledge. Their daddy could always make things better or make it just go away. His leadership skills are what make them healthy, thriving ladies. He always spoke with a soft voice and never yelled. He had a way of explaining things that made anyone understand. Don’t get it wrong, he was always open for other people’s opinion, but he could always handle any situation.

Jack always had drive and self- confidence. His inner motivation to pursue goals has always been very obvious to all. He always wanted a place of his own to hunt deer and turkey and wild game. Growing up in Alabama, he did a lot of hunting and whatever he shot; his mother would cook for dinner. This wasn’t just a sport to him it was also a way of feeding his family. This love of hunting brought him to a place in his life where he didn’t want to belong to a hunting club. As far back as anyone can remember, Jack kept saying that one day he would succeed in buying his own property to hunt on. In 1999 he bought that land and named it “R Place Farm”. His love for hunting and his drive to be able to afford this land finally paid off. He gave all of us so many wonderful memories with sharing this special place of his. Dot has a lifetime of love and laughter and special moments with Jack at their farm.

Intelligence goes a long way when you’re a poor boy from Alabama. Jack could always analyze scenarios and identify opportunities, even when others couldn’t. There have been times when his daughter had problems with their sons or daughters and they could call or visit him and he would immediately figure out the best thing for all concerned. So many times his daughters needed help with their children or cars, boys, girls, discipline, finances, or life. No matter what his daughters needed, Jack always came through with help. He had the intelligence to see the scenarios and identify the opportunities even if sometimes he might sneak a little selfishness in there. He was an amazing father and grandfather.

Integrity is a strong part of Jack. He was ever truthful and he definitely had the tendency to translate words into deeds. Everyone wants someone they can trust and Jack fits this to a tee. His daughters have gone to him for advice on many things and even though he is their favorite person, he would not lie even if it meant that they would cry or what he said wasn’t what they wanted to hear. He had a way of telling the truth even when it hurt. That hurt would be a learning tool for future life lessons. His integrity will forever be instilled in his daughters and wife.

Jack was an effective leader. He was able to gain power and influence other people to accomplish goals that benefit everyone. His daughters can remember as young girls they would go fishing with their daddy and catch lots of fish. They would hurry home and he would let them use a knife to cut and clean the fish. Little did the girls know that his allowing the use of a knife was really his way of getting out of cleaning the fish. But they cut and cleaned and he sat there watching to make sure they wouldn’t cut themselves and he didn’t have to clean a fish at all.

Jacks leadership motivation was prevalent in many ways. He could always find a way to get things accomplished for the good of all. His leadership motivation really came out when he and Dot sold their home in Alpharetta. They lived there for 32 years and it held many special memories. The whole family was there to help pack up and go through things. Dot came across a box of decoration candy canes that she used for putting on the shutters at Christmas. Christmas is her favorite time of year. These candy were just plastic and when she pulled one of them out of the box she asked Jack if she would be able to use them at the new house. He replied gently to her “no we will have vinyl siding now Dot and can’t hang them”. Dot went into tears and her daughters felt for her. This was just a crazy little candy cane, yet to her it was a memory she couldn’t take with her to her new home. Jack immediately got everyone back to work on the next box. He went over to Dot and kissed her on her tear. She smiled and went on to the next box. Jack gained power and influenced them all, even though they just wanted to stand there and cry. They dug into the next box of “memories”.

The most important quality of a leader is that they must have emotional intelligence. Jack had the wonderful ability to monitor his own emotions, discriminate against them and use this information to guide him through thoughts and actions. One of his daughters told a story of how Dot was lying in a hospital bed and was afraid because she was about to have surgery for breast cancer. As she was afraid and cried he gently kissed her and kept that stiff upper lip and chin. He told her he would be there for her when she awoke and not to be afraid. Not only was this a sad day, this was one of the most emotional days of this family’s life. Yet through it all he could guide his emotions through thoughts and actions. Not only did his actions help himself but helped his wife and his daughters and their families. Jack had a way of helping everyone around him in emotional times.

Jack was never a follower; he’s always been a leader. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting him has admired him for his leadership skills. Jack never followed anyone he always led. We all will miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Woodstock Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Robert Bryant and Jerry Kuykendall officiating.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.