Dennis Dean Higgins, 84, Jefferson City, passed away peacefully, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Capital Region Medical Center, surrounded by his family.
He was born Aug. 4, 1939, to the late Omar and Irene (Englebrecht) Higgins.
He was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Schnieders April 13, 1966, in Jefferson City.
Dennis attended Trinity Lutheran grade school and was a 1957 graduate of Jefferson City High School.
He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1958 as a right-handed relief pitcher and played in their farm league until being called up in 1966 for his major league debut. Dennis went on to play for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, and ended his career in 1972 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Upon his return to Jefferson City, he was founder and owner of Central Missouri Athletics (CMA) until retiring in 2007. Dennis was entered into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame April 14, 2013. He was a member of the Eagles Club, St. Joseph Cathedral and Major League Baseball Alumni.
He enjoyed golfing, hunting, horseback riding and playing cards with his friends and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Dennis was a loving father to his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by loving wife Ruth Ann; parents, Omar and Irene; brother, Gerald Higgins; and sister, Diane Higgins.
Dennis is survived by sons, Scott Higgins, Jay Higgins and wife Monica and Wes Higgins and wife Tricia; daughter, Amy Berhorst and husband Eric; grandchildren, Jack, Caroline, Cole and Drew Higgins, Ryan Bounds, Taylor Yoakum and husband Ian, Morgan and Riley Higgins and Glenn and Mallory Berhorst; great-grandson, Levi Yoakum; and sister, Cheryl Sloan and husband Steve.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m, Thursday, Nov. 9, at Houser-Millard Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 3:15 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with Father Chris Cordes officiating. Interment will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to the Special Olympics of Jefferson City.
Arrangements entrusted to Houser-Millard Funeral Directors in Jefferson City.
