Capt. Leonard Joseph “Lennie” Higgins Jr., 82, of Tomball, Texas, formerly of Festus, died Dec. 24, 2022, at his home. Mr. Higgins graduated from Festus High School, where he played basketball and was scouted by Notre Dame. After his family moved to Texas, he joined the Mesquite Fire Department and then the Houston Fire Department, where he spent 39 years and was the Station 3 captain for 28 years. He was Catholic and enjoyed the holidays and spending time with family. A longtime car enthusiast, he always had a Corvette in the garage. Born May 7, 1940, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Leonard J. and Bernice Mary (O’Rear) Higgins.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Robbie (Baker) Higgins, whom he met when he drove by her house in his 1957 Chevy and saw her twirling her baton in the front yard; three sons: Joey (Sherrie) Higgins of Argyle, Texas, Ricky (Tracy) Higgins of Houston and Paul (Juliet) Higgins; a daughter: Jenna Higgins; seven grandchildren: Austin, Riley, Carson, Alyssa and Erin Higgins and Hudson and Harrison Barnett; and three siblings: Kathy Bell, Madonna Moore and Steve Higgins. He was preceded in death by a brother: Vincent Higgins.
Visitation is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Klein Funeral Home in Tomball, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 1111 South Cherry St., in Tomball. Burial is in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Fayetteville, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Klein Funeral Home.