H. Lee Higdon

Homer "Lee" Higdon III, Ph.D. of Central, SC passed away Saturday evening, September 17th as a result of injuries received in an accident on the family ranch in Okeechobee, FL.

Lee has been a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ and is survived by his wife, Michelle, and children Guy and Gail Higdon, as well as his parents Homer and Joyce Higdon and sister Robyn Shepherd of Rockport, TX. Lee is also survived by a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Doreen and Mike Lowe, brother-in-law Gene Seawright, nieces Savannah Shepherd, Rachael Lowe, Katie Lowe, and nephews Cody Lee Shepherd, Jacob Lowe, Aethan Seawright and Ben Seawright.

To say that Lee had a positive impact in his 50 years that the Lord shared him with us would be an understatement. Lee spent his life in service to Jesus, his family and to all of his friends. Much of his time was spent thinking about others and what he could do to make their lives better. His servant’s heart extended from his passion for the agriculture industry, teaching youth to appreciate and raise livestock and working with residents in research at Greenville Health System. He was quick to listen and share advice and was a cowboy philosopher in every sense of the word.

Lee and his family are members of East Clemson Baptist church, where Lee was Chairman of Deacons and active in the choir. He also taught Vacation Bible School as well as went on mission trips. Lee grew up on ranches in Oklahoma and Texas and, as he would tell you, it was an ideal boyhood straight out of the pages of Huckleberry Finn. He learned to ride, rope and raise cattle and got to hunt and fish when he had time. He took that love of livestock and outdoors and majored in Animal Science at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. He later received his Master of Science degree in Nutrition from the same institution. He furthered his education with a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology at Clemson University. His education led Lee to a career in human reproduction.

Lee’s professional career in human reproduction and research has been an amazing journey. He has been a 17-year employee with the Greenville Health system, where he affected many lives with his knowledge, quick wit and sometimes his counsel. During his tenure, Lee authored or co-authored 118 research abstracts and articles. In addition, Lee was a Professor with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Obstetrics & Gynecology; Assistant Professor for the Medical University of South Carolina in Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Adjunct Associate Professor at Clemson University in Animal & Veterinary Sciences and in Mathematical Sciences.

Lee’s true joy was sharing his experience and knowledge to guide young people to find their calling in life. His favorite book to reference was “I Dare You” by William Danforth, which shared a philosophy of fourfold living: Stand tall, Think tall, Smile tall, and Live tall . During his life he selflessly mentored several high school students, over 26 undergraduate and/or graduate students, as well as 23 medical students and residents.

Visitation will be held at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central, SC on Thursday, September 22 from 6 to 8 pm. The body will lay in state at East Clemson Baptist Church in Clemson, SC Friday, September 23 from 3 – 4 pm, with funeral services from 4 – 5:30 pm. Lee will be laid to rest during a graveside service in Parrish, FL on Monday, September 26th at 11 am at Fortner Cemetery.

To continue to further Lee’s passion for educating youth, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to “Riata Fund”: c/o National Christian Foundation, 11625 Rainwater Dr. Suite 500, Alpharetta, GA 30009.Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.