James DeWolf Higgins

Mr. James DeWolf Higgins, 80, of Newnan, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at home. He was born on January 5, 1946, to the late George Monroe Higgins and Mary Jenkins Higgins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn A. Kelley, sister Elizabeth Higgins Bryan, brother Michael Vickroy Higgins, and sister Melody Higgins Blanpied. James was born in Gallipolis, OH, and grew up in Terre Haute, IN, and then Augusta, GA. He was a 1964 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. He went on to attend Augusta College and then graduate from Georgia Tech with bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering. His career began at the Engineering Experiment Station (later Georgia Tech Research Institute), followed by some time with Peihl Corporation in commercial building construction. Later, he returned to Georgia Tech, where he completed a distinguished career at Georgia Tech Research Institute. Ever the engineer, he was always ready to start a project, build something, or engineer a solution. Outside of his profession, family was most important to him. He consistently was there to help and made a great effort to stay connected with family. As he approached retirement, he designed and built a home in Newnan where he lived for his final years. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 576 Roscoe Road, in Newnan, with Rev. Hazel Glover officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00 AM until service time. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park following the service. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com. Survivors include son, Joel Higgins of Newnan; grandchildren Jackson Higgins, Hannah Higgins, Harrison Higgins, and Garrison Higgins of Fayetteville; Step-son, Jeff Bailey, and wife Rebekah Stivers of Charlotte, NC; grandchild Emily Beavers and great-grandchild Radley Beavers of Blue Ridge, GA; grandchild Sarah Bailey and great-grandchildren Brendan Bailey and Nolan Bailey of Blue Ridge, GA; grandchildren Alex Bailey of Charlotte, NC, and Ashlyn Bailey of Wilmington, NC. and sister, Garen Higgins Livingston. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

James DeWolf Higgins

January 5, 1946 - January 26, 2026