F. Donald Higdon, 87, of St. Louis, Missouri, formerly of Paducah, KY passed away on Monday, December 16, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital, with his family by his side. Don was born in Fancy Farm, Kentucky to Ollie and Maurene (Hobbs) Higdon, on January 16, 1932. He attended St. Jerome High School in Fancy Farm. He joined the United States Air force in 1951. After retirement in 1971, he returned to Paducah to work in the family business.
Don was President of Higdon Food Service (originally… Kentucky Foods Corporation) from 1972-1986. After HFS was purchased by Kraft, he was the General Manager until his retirement in 1993. Don served on numerous Boards of Directors through his years in Paducah and after retiring to St. Louis. He was Director on the Board of Higdon Furniture Corporation, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, Barkley Regional Airport Authority Board, United Way, Citizens Bank & Trust Company, CBT Corporation, and Lourdes Hospital. He served as director and Chairman of the Board of Frosty Acres and served on the National Frozen Food Association Board, and General Foods Corporation Board of National Distributor Council. Don was also commissioned a Kentucky Colonel.
In 1995, Don and his wife, Donna, moved to Chesterfield, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. He enjoyed his retirement with continued travel around the world and great moments with many friends. Don relished time with his family and loved ‘flying’ his flight simulators. He remained active with swimming and even took up Pickleball in his 87th year.
Don is survived by his daughter, Kerry Higdon and her partner, Sara; granddaughters, Alexandra Powell and Mackenzie Marth; and great-grandsons, Chance Wilson and Gryffin Dixon-Powell. He is also survived by his siblings, Kenneth Higdon (the late, Shirley), Opal Cooper (the late Marcus), Phil Higdon (Betty), Elaine Elkins (the late Sherwin), Jerry Higdon, Mark Higdon (Teresa), and Julie DuPerrieu (Steve); and by his many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He will be fondly remembered by his many friends and extended family.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 63 years, Donna (Townsend) Higdon; both sons, Timothy D. Higdon and Scott W. Higdon; and his brother Fred Higdon.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Father Brad Whistle officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday December 21, 2019 from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Milner & Orr Funeral of Paducah with military rites at the end of the visitation.
Memorial donations may be made to Doorways (doorwayshousing.org/get-involved/donate) and /or Healing Action (healingaction.org/donate).
Arrangements made by Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah. Read More »