Lonny Higdon

Lonny Earl Higdon, of Gulfport, MS passed away on December 18, 2021, at USA Health University Hospital in Mobile, AL.

Lonny was born on February 21, 1942, in Birmingham, AL. He grew up believing his name was Higdon until he had to sign up for the draft at age 18 and was informed his actual name was Leon Earl Owens. He then had his name legally changed. Lonny grew up in a military family and went to various schools around the country and overseas. Lonny attended and graduated from Biloxi High School in 1960. He met his wife Twila at Biloxi High, and they were married on November 16, 1962. They were married 59 years before his sudden passing. Lonny had two sons, Vernon, and Kelly, and was “one proud Daddy.” He loved watching Alabama football and loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, boating, and camping.

Lonny served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years and 3 days. He enjoyed his military service as an air traffic controller…he liked to “tell the pilots where to go.” Lonny retired from the Air Force in 1987 and his family returned home to Gulfport, MS. He held several jobs afterwards until he retired from the workforce in 2004.

Lonny took great pride and was very active in church. He loved teaching children and called them his “minions.” He also taught adult classes, learned to sing and how to lead singing. He also served as a deacon at Orange Grove Church of Christ and elder at O’Neal Road Church of Christ. He loved being around the children and would sometimes be known to snatch up the babies. He loved being a “Grampa.” Lonny always wanted to be involved in whatever was going on to help others.

Lonny is preceded in death by his mother, Opal; stepfather, Wallis Perry Higdon, Sr.; birth father, Leon Owens; brother, Robert Owens; and sister, Linda Owens.

Lonny is survived by his wife, Twila; a son, Vernon (Melody); a son Kelly (Tracy); two granddaughters, Lacy Brooke Higdon and Lori Anne Bergeson (Bradly); a grandson, Michael Christian Alexander; a great-grandson, Bradly Michael Bergeson; and a great-granddaughter, Romi Dale Bergeson.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.