February 5, 1948 - June 29, 2022
James Marion Higbee died on June 29, 2022, from a glioblastoma brain tumor at the age of 74. Jim was born on February 5, 1948, in Spokane, Washington.
According to the funeral home, the following services have been scheduled: Viewing, on July 9, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., ending at 10:45 a.m., at Eagle Crest Second Ward, 14919 South Eagle Crest Dr, Draper, UT. Funeral service, on July 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., at Eagle Crest Second Ward, 14919 South Eagle Crest Dr, Draper, UT. Interment, on July 9, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., at Lindon City Cemetery, 600 North 200 East, Lindon, UT.
After high school, Jim attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, prior to serving a 2 ½ year mission in Taiwan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints. On that mission he learned to read and write Mandarin Chinese, the study of which became a lifelong avocation. After his mission, Jim returned to BYU in 1971, where he met and married his eternal love and companion, Kimberly Wilde Higbee. They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple on November 22, 1972.
Jim graduated from BYU in 1972 and earned his law degree and an MBA at the University of Washington, but his education never ended. Jim was a lifelong researcher, and learner. Jim’s law review article changed insurance law in three states by the time Jim was 30 years old. After graduation, Jim joined a law firm, but, feeling the lure of international business, joined the oil and gas company, ARCO, for whom he traveled the world negotiating international oil and gas joint ventures. As part of his work, the family lived in California, New Zealand, Texas, Kazakhstan, China, and the Philippines, where precious memories and lifelong friendships were made.
Jim retired in 2017, and in 2020, Jim and Kim settled in Draper, Utah, in a home with an unobstructed view of the mountains he always loved—Mount Timpanogos and the Wasatch Range—the outdoors where he loved to be. Jim is survived by his wife, Kimberly, their four children, nine grandchildren, his brother, Glen, and his sister, Jean.
Jim wrote a book of negotiation principles, each prefaced by a Chinese proverb or chengyu. One of Jim’s favorites was The Old Man Who Lost His Horse. The proverb begins with an old man losing his horse. All the villagers say, “How unfortunate!” The old man replies, “Perhaps.” Then some months later, the horse returns with a mate, and the old man has two horses. The old man’s only son rides the new horse and is thrown and breaks his leg, making him a cripple for a time. All the villagers say, “How unfortunate!” The old man replies, “Perhaps.” War then comes to China, and all able–bodied men are called to the front, where most die in battle. But due to the broken leg, the son remains safe at home with his father. The moral of the story is that sometimes things that appear to be unfortunate are indeed a blessing. This is how we feel about Jim’s passing, for we know that we will be reunited again, and until that time, he will be faithfully at his patriarchal post, loving, guiding, and protecting all of us, his family.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Eagle Crest Second Ward Chapel, 14919 South Eagle Crest Drive, Draper, Utah where family and friends may attend a viewing from 10:00 – 10:45 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lindon City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.
