David Thomas Higgins, 69, died on July 27, 2012 at his home in Clinton, Missouri. Fond memories and condelences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com. His wishes were to be cremated. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

David was born on May 28, 1943, in Joplin, Missouri. He was the youngest son of Chester Higgins and Beatrice Higgins, who are both deceased.

He is survived by three children: Sarah Higgins; Jeannie Branzaru and husband, Carl Branzaru; and Brian Higgins and wife, Angela Higgins, five grandchildren: Mark, Erik and Claire Harken; and Alex and Karina Branzaru, two brothers: Ron Higgins and wife, Marilyn Higgins; and John Higgins, his step-mother, Ricarda Higgins and step-sister Cindy Whitehead, as well as many nieces and nephews.

David spent much of his career as a Design Engineer at Rival Manufacturing. He had a sly sense of humor, was exceptionally well-read and loved a good adventure. He spent many summers with his children hiking and camping in Colorado, and in later years traveled to Peru with his son, Brian. He also took a solo canoeing trip to the Great Lakes area in recent years. He had a passion for fishing, and a deep respect for nature and enjoyed living on Truman Lake for a number of years. He will be missed greatly by those who knew and loved him.

Services are under the care of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.