Gerald Anthony Higginbotham, 65, of China, Texas passed away July 28, 2014 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, Texas. He was born July 30, 1948 in Church Point, Louisiana to Amelca (Mac) Higginbotham and Beatrice Young Higginbotham and moved to Texas in his teens. He never forgot his Cajun roots, Cajun music and gumbo were constants in his life.

Surviving Gerald are his wife, Margaret Kolander Higginbotham; sons, Paul Higginbotham, Carl Higginbotham and his wife, Kimberly; daughter, Renee Malick; grandchildren, Bryan Higginbotham, Brandon Rainer, Olivia Malick (Pain Sucre) and Elijah Malick ( Mouse); and brothers, Bernard Higginbotham, Ronald Higginbotham, and Ferlin Higginbotham. He was preceded in death by his brother, Darryl Higginbotham and sister, Patty Mazzu.

Gerald was a rice farmer his entire life. His work ethic was simply, “you get up and go to work” regardless of how you feel or any other excuse because you have responsibilities. He worked to care for his family because it was family that was most important. He was devoted to his wife and children and grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends and will be August 2, 2014 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am with a time of remembrance at 11:30 am in the chapel of Claybar Funeral Home, 1155 N. 11th, Beaumont, Texas.