Obituary – Neil D. Higgins

 

Neil Delano Higgins, age 90, passed away October 13, 2025, in Joplin, Missouri. He was born September 30, 1935, in Rolla, Missouri, to Coy and Bertha Higgins.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Higgins; and sister, Cora.

Neil is survived by his three stepchildren, Richard Lynge, Donna Combs and Michael Lynge; grandchildren, Ryan, Skylar, Rebecca, Victoria, Madison and Damita; as well as numerous great-grandchildren.

After Neil graduated from Licking High School, he got drafted into the U.S. Army to serve for two years. After training in Fort Hood, he was stationed near Erlangen, Germany. When asked about his service in Germany, he would talk about driving the supply and mess trucks and how he did not like the cold weather. If we ever complained about the cold weather or snow, he would tell us “don’t go to Germany.” After the Army, Neil completed his education at the University of Missouri in Columbia and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He then returned to Licking and started working and building onto what later he named “Pleasant View Farms.” He started a seed cleaning business that he got influenced into doing from William “Bill” Harry. From there, his seed buying and cleaning business grew.

In Neil’s downtime he loved to hunt. Deer was his favorite game, but he also enjoyed hunting and eating rabbits and squirrels.

Neil was always working hard during the summer, either in the hay fields or harvesting small grains. He worked with the University of Missouri to be a test farm for several small grains. One of the last small grain crops was from a wheat variety named Cardinal. The grain passed all the required tests from both the University and FDA, letting this variety to be sold. Earth Grains (Colonial Bread) purchased his entire harvest. The buildings that are located on the farm now were constructed by Neil and his father, Coy. Coy had a forge and he made all the door hinges, latches, and most of the small metal pieces on the machine shed, seed cleaning warehouse, and the clean seed warehouse. Over the years Neil hired several gentlemen as farm hands. The list of names is extremely long but a few that stand out are Steve Ingram, Jerry Curtis and Ronnie Ramsey, as well as Bob Vessel and his hay hauling crew that included Fred Turner, David Amburn and others. While in college Neil formed a few long-lasting friendships with John Robinson and Dizzy Carter. Neil also raised hogs with Dallas McNew. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

A visitation for Neil will take place Friday, October 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Fox Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 11 a.m. in Boone Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Boone Creek Cemetery in loving memory of Neil. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfh.net. Arrangements are entrusted to Fox Funeral Home.