Leroy Higginson, Jr.

Leroy Higginson, Jr., also affectionally known as Sonny, BaBoo, Grandpa, and Gramps, passed away Friday, April 9^th, 2021.  He was 74.

Born in Webster County, Kentucky, on May 28^th, 1946, to Rebecca Lee and Leroy Higginson, Sr.  Sonny moved to Lee County, Florida with his family when he was two years old. The family eventually made their home in Alva.   After graduating from Alva High School, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.  There he met Patricia Gray.   After his service during the Vietnam Conflict, Sonny returned to the States and married Patricia Gray in 1972.  They settled in Alva, Florida where they raised four girls.  He went on to work at Florida Power and Light in Control Operations until his retirement.   

Sonny enjoyed the outdoors and loved camping and hunting, spending many weekends at River Ranch.  He was also a talented musician.  Sonny was an amazing tenor and often led worship in his younger years at his local church. Later in life, he combined his love of singing with his passion for guitars and could be found at Karaoke nights playing music with his friends.  He also loved to tinker with almost anything. Family and friends would often find cars, lawnmowers, appliances, and many other items in various stages of rebuild or modification.  He enjoyed sharing his passions with others, especially his grandkids.   

A life-long member of the Church of Christ, Sonny had a strong moral compass in how he led his life.  He was hard working and even stubborn more times than not.  His daughters often called him grouchy pants.  Who wouldn’t be grouchy from time to time with four headstrong daughters?  But under that stubbornness and even exasperation, he was always there when he was needed.  He was a rock and his daughters will miss him deeply. 

Sonny is survived by his four daughters, Candace Rhodes and husband Matthew of Ft. Myers, Jennifer Moore, and husband Scott of Cape Coral, Cindy Wood and husband Kevin of Alva, and Colette Abrahan and husband David of Richmond, TX; a sister, Betty Higginson also of Alva; eight grandchildren, Hunter, Autumn Pepper, Orion, Sirus, Nadia, Atlas, Mileena, and Alexander; his mother-in-law, Nina Jo Gray of Wichita Falls, TX, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Leroy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Higginson in 2018; in addition to two sisters, Linda Connerly and Marjorie Dyess.

Graveside funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the Alva Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Alva, FL 33920 with Pastor Steve Caldwell officiating.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ft. Myers, is entrusted with final care.