Lt. Col. Norman Allyn Higgins

Norman “Jabo” Allyn Higgins (Lt. Col., USAF Retired), aged 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Norman was born on January 27, 1936, in Natchez, MS to Norman Woody Higgins and Allye Mae Neely Higgins. When he was in the 8th grade, he moved to Yazoo City, MS and was a 1954 graduate of Yazoo City High School. While in high school, he was a member of the band and first chair trumpet and played baseball and football. He attended Hinds Junior College and was a member of the Hinds Highsteppers Band. Norman also was a member of the jazz band, “The Merrymakers.”

On March 19, 1956, Norman enrolled in the Flying/Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX, which prepared him for a commission in the United States Air Force. From there, he went to Hondo AFB, TX for flight training in the T28, and on July 30, 1957, was commissioned at Greenville AFB, MS flying the T33. Norman graduated second in his flying class and first in his class for military training. He attended instructor school for the F80 at Selma AFB, AL. Norman then was stationed at Williams AFB, Chandler, AZ, and Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK. He was trained in the Interceptor Squadron in the F102 T-Birds in preparation for the Vietnam War. He went on to Luke AFB, Glendale, AZ, for final training in the F100 and Tuy Hoa Vietnam. In Vietnam, he flew 233 missions, 80 of which were over North Vietnam.

Upon returning to the United States, Norman was stationed at Columbus AFB, MS and attended Bootstrap for educational courses. He next returned to Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK, and was the Inspector General of the Air Force in the Alaska Command. His next assignment was at Holloman AFB, Alamogordo, NM, as the Director of Operations for the 49th Combat Support Group. His final assignment of his Air Force career was at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS as the Battle Staff Commander. He retired on March 30, 1987,

Norman obtained degrees from William Carey College, Hattiesburg, MS and the University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK. He was also educated at the Squadron Officer School, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Air War College. He was granted many awards and medals during his career.

Following retirement from the Air Force, Norman attended nursing school and became an RN. He briefly worked at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. He also worked for NASA as an engineer focusing on fuels and oxidants. He later became an ordained minister through the Pensacola Theological Seminary.

Before fully retiring to fishing and hunting, Norman became the Commander of the MS State Guard. He was instrumental in organizing the rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina and arranged for the Medical Ship Hope to be in port during this time. He retired from the Guard as a Major General.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Allye Mae Higgins of Yazoo City, MS and his son, Gary Blaine Higgins of Mandeville, LA.

Norman is survived by his wife, Lourie Ann Brown Higgins of Long Beach, MS, and his daughter Tina Patrice Higgins (Paul) Baker of Ponte Vedra, FL. He has four grandchildren – Ashley Megan Baker (Radu) Gheorghe of Ponte Vedra, FL, Paul Landon (Emily) Baker of Lacy, WA, Lara Elizabeth Higgins (Joe) Crutcher of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Timothy Andrew Higgins of New Orleans, LA. Norman has five great-grandchildren – Ella Grace Baker and Luca Radu Gheorghe of Ponte Vedra, FL, Cassian Paul Baker and Lucille Anne Baker of Lacey, WA, and Saylor Crutcher of Fort Walton Beach, FL.

A funeral service with U.S. Air Force honors will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport MS. No graveside services will be held. A private interment at the Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi MS will be on Monday, June 23,2025. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, is honored to serve the Higgins family.

Because no flowers are accepted at the National Cemetery, the family asks that you give a memorial to the charity of your choice.