David L. Higginbotham , 86, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 in Gates, Ore.

Born Jan. 16, 1924 in Owensville, he was the son of Riley Morris and Mary Esther (Price) Higginbotham.

He moved to Salem, Ore. in 1961, to Detroit, Ore. in 1964, to Stayton in 2000 and lived the last three years in Gates. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He retired from Oregon Dept. of Transportation after 22 years from Detroit, Ore. David married Janice Smith on March 8, 1952 in Owensville.

He was a member of Maumee Baptist Church in Owensville. David enjoyed gardening, woodworking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by children, Kathy (Gary “Zip”) Snyder of Detroit, Ore., Steve (Cindy) Higginbotham of Stayton, Ore.; sister, Lois Wade of Princeton;   grandchildren, Coral and Aron Snyder and Nathaniel and Gabriel Higginbotham; and great-grandchildren, Kaley Snyder and Aurora Cunningham.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice on Jan. 11, 2008; a brother, Donald;  and sisters, Medrith, Irene and Versa.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at at Lone Oak Cemetery in Stayton, Ore.

North Santiam Funeral Service in Stayton is handling arrangements.