Homer Higdon, Jr.

Homer Lee Higdon Jr., age 78, born March 25, 1943, died Thursday, April 29, 2021 in Fulton, TX at home. Homer, a steadfast figure to his family is survived by his wife of over 56 years, Joyce , daughter Robyn Shepherd, and sister Georgia Robison-Higdon.

Homer was preceded in death by his parents Homer Lee Higdon Sr and Geneva Jo Higdon-Harris, sister Guyla Cecile Higdon-Michels, and son Homer Lee Higdon III.

Homer is also survived by a son-in-law John Shepherd, daughter-in-law Michelle Higdon, four grandchildren Cody and Savannah Shepherd, Guy and Gail Higdon, and a great grandson Greyson Lee Shepherd-Solis.

Homer was a reserved man who loved his family dearly, worked hard in his career and had a particular soft spot for little children and animals of any kind.

As a young man he learned how to be a cattleman and horsemanduring the summers he spent with his mentor Oscar Keplinger.This experience lead him to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry at Kansas State University in 1966. While at K-State he paid his way through school by working in the show barn, where he continued to grow his skills working with and managing cattle.

During his time at K-State Homer met the woman he would share the rest of his life with Joyce Miller. When he met Joycehe also met the best partner a rancher could have. This May they would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

Homer spent the majority of his career working in the cattle industry. He was very instrumental in the development of successful breeding and growing programs with various ranches including: Keeler Ranch in Bartlesville, Oklahoma , Livestock Performance Center in Castroville, TX, Crown X Ranch in Marfa, TX, just to name a few. Additionally, he was an exceptional showman and showed cattle is some of the country’s largest events such in Denver Stock Show, Houston Livestock Show and the American Royal in Kansas City.

While working, he earned his Commercial Pilot’s license forcattle trading and checking on livestock and water.

Homer was famous for his hard work ethic, chewing tobacco,and demanding nature of those around him. He suffered no foolsand his reputation often proceeding him. Despite his hard nature, in addition to caring for animals, he would go to great lengths to help all of his farm hands. Ensuring they had full pantries during the winter. His family brand is Bar-O-Bar.

Later in his life, he and Joyce traveled in their RV. Often going between their son’s home in South Carolina and daughter’s home in Texas and made many friends along the way. He greatly cared for his and other people’s dogs. He often seemed the most content when he was sitting in his chair surrounded by his pack of loyal companions and playing solitaire.

He had a very close and personal relationship with God, that was not always outwardly evident. He had many stories of the different ways in which the Lord had guided him to safety. It was the lords guiding hands and Joyce’s prayers that watched over him through his many horse wrecks and accidents. At times he would remark how God had guided his hands one night when he was driving a school bus. That night while driving, the bus lost its lights, he attributed his safety and those on the bus to the Lord’s direction.

The family ask that in place of flowers, that any donations maygo their church, First Baptist Church in Rockport, Phase 3 Building Fund or the Wounded Warriors fund. Both of which can be found online.

Homer will be cremated per his request and the family will have a Celebration of Life at the First Baptist Church of Rockport on Monday at 2:30 p.m. March 3, 2021.