Jack Thomas Higginbotham1916 - 2013Jack Thomas Higginbotham passed away on January 19, 2013 at the age of 96 years. He was born in Ogden, Utah on March 9, 1916 to Thomas Carnahan Higginbotham and Florence Elizabeth Fowler.Jack grew up in Ogden, attending Mount Fort Elementary School, Mount Fort Junior High School, Ogden High School, and graduating from Weber College in 1936. Jack was an excellent student, and with his good grades he received a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Chicago School of Business for his final two years of undergraduate work, graduating in 1938. After graduation, Jack took a job with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.Jack married Ruth Lucile Jensen in Brigham City, Utah on April 27, 1940. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. After their marriage they lived in Washington, D. C., Denver, and Salt Lake City, where Jack was appointed as Chief of the Intelligence Division in the Salt Lake City District of the IRS. He served in this capacity until 1971, when he was transferred back to Washington D. C. to head the Programs Branch of the national Intelligence Division. He retired from the IRS in 1972, and moved with Ruth back to Salt Lake City.After his retirement and return to Utah, Jack conducted various investigative assignments for the U.S. Department of Defense, Utah State Legislature, and Utah State Attorney General's office. In 1978, he was appointed to the Governor's Committee on Executive Reorganization for the State of Utah. He also served for several years as an officer of National Federal Executives Association for Utah.Jack was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many capacities during his life, including stake high counselor, stake and ward clerk, and priesthood and auxiliary leader. He had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ, and followed His admonition to love one's neighbors and care for others.For the last 17 years of his life, Jack served as a volunteer patient relations representative at the Cottonwood Hospital, visiting patients on a weekly basis to inquire about their feelings and needs. He was able to visit 40-50 individuals each week, and found great joy in this service.After retirement, Jack and Ruth traveled extensively, taking cruises and tours around the world. Ruth passed away in May 2010.Jack is survived by his two sons and their spouses, Val and Liisa, and David and Gail, nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was loved and respected by all.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 28 at the Little Cottonwood First Ward, 6350 South Rodeo Lane in Murray. A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 27 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Salt Lake City, and at the church on Monday, January 28 from 10:00 am to 10:45 am. Interment will be at the Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Utah. Online condolences can be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
