Larry Lee Higginbotham

Larry Lee Higginbotham, 43, of Biloxi, MS passed away doing what he loved… cave diving. He was born on February 1, 1969 in Biloxi, MS and went home to the Lord on March 17th at Vortex Springs, Ponce De Leon, FL. He was preceded in death by his uncle Randy Higginbotham, his paternal grandfather, Percy Higginbotham, and his maternal grandfather, Robert (Paw) Loomis. He is survived by his two wonderful sons, Maxwell Higginbotham and Mason Higginbotham of Ocean Springs, MS, his mother Patricia Higginbotham of Ocean Springs, MS, father Larry E. Higginbotham (Elizabeth) of Janice, MS, a brother, Terry Higginbotham (Amanda and niece Emily) of San Diego, CA, and his grandmother, Joan Loomis of Ocean Springs, MS, three uncles Mike Loomis (Sue) of Virginia Beach, VA, Robert Loomis (Barbara) of Tucson, AZ and Timothy Loomis (Janet) of Mountain Home, ID, his former wife Sheri Vilski Quezada (Roque) of Ocean Springs, MS, a number of cousins, innumberable friends and two very special friends, Louise O'Brien of Gulfport and Stormy Stark of VA. Larry served his country for 20 years as a United States Marine. Duty stations include Parris Island, SC as administrative aide to the Commanding General, Camp LeJuene, NC, Twenty Nine Palms, CA, Okinawa, KeeslerAFB, MS, and as a Military Aide to the command staff of NATO headquarters, Olso, Norway and aboard the USS Guam during the Persian Gulf War. While stationed in California, he competed in and finished the Isuzu Ironman Triathlon. Larry also loved soccer and coached his sons in various leagues and had just started as a defensive coach for Maxwell's premier league team. He was also an avid fan of the Mississippi Surge and Saints football. After retirement, Larry went to work for International Game Technology (IGT) in Gulfport, where he worked as a Systems Engineer, a job he thoroughly loved. He was a graduate of St. Martin High School, class of 1987 and was the drum major his senior year. He also attended the University of Phoenix where he earned a Business Management Degree. Larry was a member of Rodenberg Church of Christ in Biloxi and often led singing, led prayers and other duties. Services are scheduled for Friday, March 23, 2012 at Rodenberg Church of Christ, 173 Rodenberg Avenue, Biloxi, MS. Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a 12:00 pm service. Brother Bill Denton, minister, will be leading the service along with others of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations made to the Mississippi Honor Flight, MGC Honor Flight c/o Kiwanis Division 14, FEN. 516 Brandi Lane, Gulfport, MS 39507 or donations can be made at any Hancock Bank for the Honor Flight or St. Jude's Children Hospital online at www.stjude.org in his name. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.