HIGBEE, Orville Lee - b. October 21, 1934 - d. February 12, 2014

[patyrn]

Orville Lee Higbee of Yates Center, Kansas, died on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at the Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas at the age of 79.  He was born on October 21, 1934 to Lloyd Melvin Sr. and Ruby Fern (Key) Higbee, delivered by Mrs. Brown in Greenwood County, Kansas. 

Orville was raised in Greenwood County in the rural Neal, Eureka, and Severy areas.  He graduated from Severy High School with the Class of 1952.  He joined the U.S. Army on September 3, 1953 and served most of his time in Anchorage, Alaska.  He was honorably discharged on September 1, 1955. 

He worked for the Greenwood County Road & Bridge.  Then he worked for Boeing, retiring in 1990 after 30 years.  He farmed and raised cattle in the Severy areas most of his life until moving to his dream home in Yates Center.  There he and Sylvia farmed and raised his prized, registered pure-bred Charolais cattle.

Orville is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia, of the home; his children, Barbara and Rocky Strickler of Eureka, Kansas, Roy and Tamara Higbee of Severy, Kansas, and Janice and Gary Davis of Wichita, Kansas; 6 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren; and great friends and extended family.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Melvin and Lloyd Jr.

He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, terrific father and grandfather, and a trustworthy, helpful, and honest friend.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Neal Cemetery with Pastor Tony Pameticky of the Severy Baptist Church officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be made to the Tornot VFW.

(taken from the Koup Family Funeral Home website)