James Higby

James Eldon Higby passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at his home in Mesquite, Nev. He was 79 years old. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 24, from 5-7 PM and the funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 25.  The family will greet friends following the service. Pastor Mary Scott will officiate. All events will be held at The United Methodist Church at 1104 A St. in Aurora. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery.
The service will be livestreamed on the church’s website. Please go to  www.umcaurora.org, scroll down and click on livestream. Memorials may be made to the Aurora United Methodist Church. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary will oversee all arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at  www.higbymortuary.com.
James Eldon Higby, the son of Eldon and Dorothy (Bargen) Higby, was born in Aurora, Nebr., on June 1, 1945, and passed away in Mesquite, Nev., on March 16, 2025, at the age of 79.
Jim attended school in Aurora, where he was active in band, vocal music, track, cross country as well as being involved in class plays and other dramas. He graduated from Aurora High School in 1963 and attended Kearney State College. Deciding to pursue the family business, Jim went to San Francisco College of Mortuary Science where he met the love of his life, Linda Caudle.
They were united in marriage on Nov. 26, 1967, in Healdsburg, Calif. He returned to Aurora to serve his apprenticeship at Higby Mortuary, continuing as the third generation in the family business. They were blessed with two children: son Paul and daughter Ann.
He loved Nebraska and appreciated growing up in Aurora with the “Tom Sawyer” kind of life that could be lived there. He was active in Jaycees, Aurora Community Theater was also a member of Rotary and Chamber of Commerce boards.
Jim was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Aurora serving on several committees. Singing with the choir was his happy place. He also took part in Lay Witness Missions in Nebraska, and North and South Dakota. Jim and Linda retired to Mesquite, Nevada in 2011 where he continued to be involved in the United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Higby.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda; son Paul and grandson Jacob Higby of Erie, Colo.; daughter Ann and son-in-law Jeff Judd of Parker, Colo.; and two grandsons, Wyatt and Sawyer Judd. Not to forget the many close friends and family he adored. Jim loved everyone and everyone loved him.