Thomas Higgins Jr. was born on March 13, 1931 to Harriet E. Shelton and Thomas Higgins Sr. of Troy, MO. He departed this life on May 6, 2023 at his home in Troy, MO at the age of 92 years, 1 month and 5 days. On Oct. 21, 1950, Thomas married Stella May (Bailey). To this union were born ; Jacqueline Kay and Gerald Thomas Higgins, aka Jerry. Thomas lived in Troy all of his life, and started work at an early age. He was doing everything from washing windows, cutting lawns and even doing odd jobs at the hotels in Troy. When he got older, he worked as head chef at Dixie Haven in Troy, MO for Charles and Betty Creech. In 1967, he started working for Continental Telephone of MO, starting in the Maintenance Dept. and after a couple of years was promoted to the Midwest Regional Vehicle supervisor. He was taking care of ordering vehicles for different telephone properties they acquired. Thomas worked in that position for 5 years and retired from Contel in 1992.

Thomas is survived by his beloved children; Jacqueline Kay (Steven) N ovel of Foristell, MO and Gerald Thomas Higgins of Troy, MO, 2 grandsons; Dennis and Brian Novel , 7 great-grandchildren; Nya, Angel, Decari , Dennis, Lilly, King , Leven and 1 brother; Raymond "Charlie" Higgins of Lancaster, Texas, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Harriet Higgins, 1 brother, Donald Shelton, his wife Stella Higgins, and 1 sister, Marion Ruth Higgins Mathews. Memorials- American Heart Association or Lincoln County Relay for Life c/o the funeral home.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 14, 2023 from 2 p.m.- 8 p.m. at McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory 1304 Boone Street Troy, MO 63379.

Graveside Service will be held on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 10 a.m. Troy City Cemetery Troy, MO. Officiating: Mr. Charles Mathews.  Serving as p allbearers- Thomas Mathews, Michael Mathews Sr., James Mathews, Charles D. Mathews and Patrick Mathews and h onorary pallbearers- Dennis Novel, Brian Novel, Gary Day, Patricia Richardson- Hensley, Michael Shelton and Larry Littleton.

The family of Thomas Higgins Jr. would like to thank everyone for all your condolences and acts of kindness and of love, rendered during this time of bereavement.