Gary Ray Higdon, age 58 of Etowah, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. He was the son of the late C.B. Jr. and Barbara Burroughs Higdon. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Christopher Burroughs Higdon.

Gary had been a minister for the last 30 years. He had served as the minister of First Baptist Church in Jamestown, Second Baptist, Goodsprings Baptist of Etowah, First Baptist Church in Riceville and currently at Brookhill Baptist in Etowah. He has been a high school English and Math teacher for over 25 years at Central High School. He was a permanent fixture at Central Basketball games where he ran the time clock for years.

Survivors include his wife; Gail Smith Higdon of Etowah, daughter and son-in-law; Courtney and Eric Cline of Etowah, Godsons and spouses; Dr. B. Paul and April Jones of Knoxville and Steven and Leigh Qualls of Nashville, brothers and sisters in-law; Don and Linda Higdon of Englewood, TN and Bill and Janice Higdon of Franklin, TN, sister; Sherry Miller of Johnson City, TN, father and mother in-law; Roy T. and Olene Smith of Jamestown, TN, sisters in-law and brothers in-law; Kathy and Ron Crabtree of Jamestown, TN and Patricia and Larry Lafferty of Jamestown, TN, and granddog; Findley Grace Cline.

Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Brookhill Baptist Church. Dr. Harold Hunter and Rev. Arnold King will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday prior to the service. Garett Mills, Charlie England, Travis England, Briar England, Ode Lanning, Steve Qualls and Paul Jones will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that Gideon Bibles be bought in memory of Gary. He also requested that no dark color clothing is to be worn to the memorial service, only bright colors to honor his home going.