Thomas E. Higginbotham

Thomas E. Higginbotham, 89, formerly of Brighton Township, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Sherwood Oaks, Cranberry Township, where he had been a resident since 2009.

Born October 28, 1926 in Rice’s Landing, PA, he was a son of the late George Coffman and Lucille Gray Higginbotham. Tom graduated 9th in his Senior class of 83 and upon graduation, served proudly in the U. S. Army Air Force during WWII where he was honorably discharged in 1946. Using his GI Bill, he graduated in 1950 from Waynesburg College. With his degree in hand, he started his career at Michael Baker, and remained there until his retirement in 1991 after 37 years. Tom was a member and Treasurer of the Beaver valley Camera Club, Beaver Men’s Club, and a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels.

As a man of great faith, Tom was a longtime, devout member of the First Presbyterian Church, Beaver. He loved God, religiously studied the Bible and Devotions, and since 1956, served in many capacities including, Deacon, Elder, Clerk of Sessions for several classes, and teacher for the Men’s Sunday School Class.

In his spare time, Tom enjoyed golfing and looked forward to photo opportunities during Pittsburgh’s Light Up Nights. When the snow fell, you would be able to find him sledding on the hill behind the family home of 47 years in Wickham Heights.

Preceding Tom is death was his beloved wife, Dixie Jean Snell of Waynesburg, whom he married in November 1952 and loved until her death 59 years later in May of 2012.

Surviving Tom is a daughter Carrie Lynn (Gary Wayne) Boettner, Spartanburg, SC, one grandson, Thomas William Boettner, MN, a brother, George C. Higginbotham, Jr, OH, a sister, Janet ( Robert) Jennings, Ardmore, PA, and several nieces, cousins, and a nephew.

Friends will be received at First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, Friday, January 15, 2016 from 3:00 pm until time of service at 5:00 pm . A private interment will take place at Beaver Cemetery, Beaver. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Noll Funeral Home, Inc., Beaver. Online condolences may be shared at nollfuneral.com.

Memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 252 College Avenue, Beaver, PA 15009.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the “girls” of the Skilled Nursing West Wing at Sherwood Oaks and Nurse Practitioner Chrissy Bell for their friendship, smiles, and loving care. Also, the Sherwood Oaks Yellow Jackets for getting Tom to Chapel every Sunday, and a special “Thank You” to the “Fabulous Baker Boys” for the many years of friendship given Tom over lunches at the Wooden Angel.

Tom is now at peace and has seen God’s face, a reward he had strived toward his entire life.