Uriel Higham, Jr

LEO HIGHAM IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Leo Higham, 83, long time resident of Idaho Falls, died Thursday, September 29, 2005, of cancer. Leo was born April 22, 1922, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Uriel Leo Higham, Sr. and Arvilla Geneva Mitchell Higham. His family moved to Southern California in 1930, where he received his education. He worked as a lapidary before going into the service in 1943. While in the service Leo served in the Corps of Engineers and left as a Staff Sergeant in 1946. Leo married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Mason, August 6, 1943, in the Salt Lake Temple. Leo went to radio school in Hollywood, California. He obtained his first broadcasting position at KBUH in Brigham City, Utah, in 1948. They moved to Idaho Falls in 1949, where he went to work for KID as a radio announcer. He became best known for his morning show “Higham and Eggs.” When KID established the first TV station in Eastern Idaho in 1954, he was the announcer on “Stump the Organist” with K. Dean Larsen and “What’s Cooking” with Marcene Lewis. In 1961, Leo became part owner of KTEE Radio, where he pioneered the first radio talk show in the area, “Party Line,” along with Marcene Lewis. Leo loved his job and never tired of going to work. He later went into business with his son, David, as co-owner of The Rose Shop, where many happy memories were created. Leo was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he held many different callings throughout his life; both on a ward and stake level; but his most rewarding positions were those of Temple Sealer and Stake Patriarch. These callings allowed him wonderful opportunities that blessed his posterity. Leo had three loves in his life, his family, his Heavenly Father, and his work. His children have said “they always felt safe when Dad was there.” Leo was a gentle man, a man without guile. He read from the scriptures daily. He had a great sense of humor, which helped him in all avenues of his life. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Mason, and eight children, Nancy (Melvin) Olsen of Lindon, UT, Linda (Melvin) Wilhelmsen of Nampa, ID, Richard (Joyce) Higham of Eagle, ID, Janet (Travis) Bowen of Fruit Heights, UT, Terrie (Gregory) Campbell of Hidden Valley Lake, CA, David (Jacque) Higham of Idaho Falls, Gary (Bonnie) Higham of Idaho Falls, and Paul (Shelly) Higham of Nampa, ID, two sisters, Bonnie Shurley and Zoe Ann Graham, and a brother, Dell. He was preceded in death by two sisters, LaVerne Holmes and Geraldine Higham, and a brother, George. He has 49 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2005, at the Idaho Falls LDS 20th Ward, 651 Gladstone. A viewing will be held at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge, Sunday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and on Monday in the Relief Society room at the church starting at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Grant-Central Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team. ____________________________________________________________ Condolences sent: Henry Christensen (hchris@hchris.com) I am saddened at Leo's passing. However, his radio voice was a constant as I was growing up in Idaho Falls. "Higham and Eggs" in my younger days and "Party Line" later on. Some of the funnest "Party Line" moments were when callers would voice their opinions on UFOs. I am taking this opportunity to thank Leo's family for sharing him with those of us in the radio and television audiences. Ted Tueller (tedtueller@2lr.net) Dear Highams, My father was a great man, and he made it known to me all his life that he looked up to Leo Higham as much as any man he had ever known. I hope this puts into perspective how I personally feel about Leo Higham, he was my hero's hero. I was aware at a young age what a great man he was. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and apologize for not being able to attend the funeral. Sandy and I were in IF a few months ago for a funeral and I felt strongly that I should see Brother Higham. It was a wonderful and fulfilling experience to see him. I expressed to him how important his influence was in my life and I had a feeling that I might not see him again in mortality. He could not have been more gracious and appreciative of our coming. You should know that we even named a daughter after him (kind of). Our second daughter, Emily somehow got to be called EmiLeo. It soon got shortened to Leo and it stuck. I only knew one Leo and as a friendly in-family nickname, I thought it was kind of nice. May the Lord bless all of you during this difficult time. I too loved Leo Higham, he was perhaps the only guileless man I have ever known. How fitting that both he and my father would pass on the 29th of September. I believe the reunion of these great friends was a most joyous one.