Jack Clarence Higbee

Jack Clarence Higbee graduated from this life on April 16, 2017. Jack was born on February 7, 1926 in SLC to Clifford Earnest and Doris Odekirk Higbee.
Jack married the love of his life, Helen Keller in the Manti, Utah temple in 1950.  They met at a circle dance at U of U. She preceded him in death in 2010. They had 7 children, David (Annette), Brent (Diann), Jill, Susan (Steve Holt), Janice (Willy Dunne), Jonathon (Yanning) and Jeremy (deceased). He has 29 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Jack grew up in SLC. He graduated from East High School. Sadly, his father died when he 11, which left his sickly mother to raise 6 children alone. All the children worked to help support their family (Francis, Marjorie, Clifford, Jack, MaryAnn and Doris Jean).
At 16 he left home to work for Pan American Airways as an instrument mechanic in San Francisco. At 18 he joined the Army Air Force. He  drove a military vehicle from Calcutta, India along the Ledo-Burma Road in a convoy to Kunming, China. He was active in the Flying Tigers under General Chenault.
He served a mission in the Netherlands from 1947-49. He enjoyed the people he met there, especially his fellow missionaries. Thus began a lifetime of friendship, gatherings, weekly lunches, dinners, camp outs and all out fun. Their families became our family.
Jack obtained a Master’s Degree in Industrial Relations from the U of U.
He worked at Geneva Steel, Kaiser Bauxite in Jamaica, Kennecott Copper and Litton Industries. Finally he worked as the Executive Director for the Utah Vocational Education Advisory Council for 25 years, encouraging vocational programs in the High Schools and post High School training. His motto was “A good job leads to a good life”.
Jack was a skilled wood craftsman. He loved to collect Arts and Crafts style furniture.  He knew how to refinish and make tables and chairs in the Craftsman style. He became quite an expert on Stickley and Limbert antiques. In later years he had a collection of over 80 pieces. Many of our homes are decorated with the oak furniture he made or collected.
Jack built his first home in Orem, Utah. Future owners remarked on his attention to details.  Later, Jack worked for years on a lovely home in Midway, Utah.  The “Midway House” was a labor of love and lots of hard work.  He built 95% of it by himself, with very limited help from friends and family.
He and Helen loved to travel.  In addition to their adventures while living in Jamaica for 3 years, he took Helen and their two young boys to Europe.  Later, trips to Central America, Asia, and wherever his children or family members lived (Arizona, Alaska, California, England).  It was amazing that he took almost every grandchild on a trip; some to Alaska, others to Washington D.C. where he had annual meetings.
The main floor bedroom of their SLC home often contained gifts for at least 80 people at Christmastime, collected from hours of garage sales and Market Square shopping.  The favorite “find” was jewelry to give to any woman or girl Jack met.  People never left his home empty handed whether with food or treasures from his shopping.
Jack helped to support a school in Jamaica for years. He sent donated typewriters, books, laptops and jewelry.
Jack had a fun sense of humor, a keen mind and was well read. He would not shy away from his progressive opinions. We all knew very well where he stood on current events. In his later years he wrote extensively. We have approx. 20 binders filled with his personal history and remembrances.
Jack nurtured lifelong friendships with the Litton group, fellow Dutch Missionaries, his Jamaica friends, The Flying Tigers, and Arts and Craft Collectors. He remained close to his siblings and their families. He sponsored family reunions and trips. We all loved going to Waterton Provincial Park in Alberta, the beaches of San Diego, Lake Powell and Midway. He was generous and valued time with family and friends.
Finally, A quote from Jack:
“Enough about me, except to say that currently, almost every day, I do something to make the world a better place, in some small way. I know that I am not unique, but I am not just a “run of the mill Joe” either.”
Funeral services will be Saturday April 22, 2017 at Little Cottonwood 1st Ward at 6350 South, Rodeo Lane, Murray, Utah. Viewing begins at 10:30 followed by celebration and remembrance of his life at Noon.
Service Information
Viewing April 22, 2017 at 10:30am
6350 South Rodeo Lane, Murray, Utah





Funeral Service
April 22, 2017 at 12:00pm
6350 South Rodeo Lane