George William Higgins, 91, of Grandview passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, following an extended illness.
He was born on July 24, 1920. George grew up in Grandview on the family farm, where he learned to value hard work at an early age.
He attended elementary school down the road at the Bethany School. Before school each day, he helped his parents milk cows and then deliver their Higgins Dairy milk to the doorsteps of many homes in the Grandview and Sunnyside areas.
Later, he and his brother Fred formed a partnership known as Higgins Bros., raising beef cattle, turkeys and row crops such as corn, asparagus and sugar beets. They later branched out into the poultry business and delivered eggs in Ellensburg, Yakima, Moses Lake, Hermiston and the Tri-Cities, as well as the Lower Valley.
Following the advice of the old adage not to "put all your eggs in one basket," they also began growing fruit, mainly apples, pears and peaches.
George graduated from Grandview High School in 1938, as a member of the first graduating class in the "new brick school". He also played football for their championship team that year.
Several years later, while delivering milk to the local "soda shop" in downtown Grandview, he met Edith Noble. Her family had recently moved from California, to accommodate her father's employment with the Hanford Project. Edith would become his wife on March 24, 1944 in Berkeley, Calif. The marriage seemed "to take," as they celebrated 67 years of marriage last March.
In later years, to go along with the family cattle business, George added the meat packing business called Grandview Pack. His interest in cattle would continue all of his life. One of his greatest joys was keeping an eye on his cattle, as he "watched" a small "hobby herd" well into his 80s, making sure that he would never officially retire.
George and Edith raised one daughter, Linda, who worked as a teacher for the Sunnyside School District until her retirement in 2010.
Because of his avid interest in the stock market, George had once suggested that she should become a stock broker instead. He was an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal, and in the nursing home he enjoyed watching the market on his daughter's iPhone.
George worked with his son-in-law, Jim Hansen as the farm began its transition to the third generation. George enjoyed the daily routine of being involved in farm activities and challenges until his health no longer permitted it.
He also loved and took pride in his grandchildren, George and Jessica, as they grew up living in his former home and working on the family farm in the summers.
George was seldom without his shovel, except when he took time off to vacation in the family's condo in Kona, Hawaii. Edith and George enjoyed winter trips to warmer climates, but Hawaii was their favorite destination. They also enjoyed time spent at their cabin in Pine Cliffs, above Naches, and playing bridge with friends.
George was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church in Grandview.
Survivors include his wife, Edith Noble Higgins; his daughter Linda (Jim T.) L. Hansen; his two grandchildren, George T. Hansen of Yakima and Jessica (Colby) Hansen Pederson of Kirkland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Benton and Frances Luella Higgins; and his brother, Fred Wesley Higgins.
Viewing and visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grandview.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lower Valley Hospice or the Union Gospel Mission.
Those wishing to sign George's on-line memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com
Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematory in Sunnyside is in charge of arrangements.
