David Bartlett Higdon

David Bartlett Higdon, Sr., 62, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009 after a courageous nine year battle with cancer. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Vineville United Methodist Church with Dr. Marcus Tripp officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Christian Life Center. Mr. Higdon was born in Port St. Joe, Florida, the son of Mack Allen Higdon, Sr. and Anne Barnett Higdon, both of whom preceded him in death. Mr. Higdon received his A.B. from the University of Georgia in 1968, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and his J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law in 1971, where he served as treasurer of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. David Higdon proudly served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army. Mr. Higdon was a senior partner in the law firm of Chambless, Higdon, Richardson, Katz, and Griggs, where he began his practice in 1971. David Higdon concentrated his practice in the area of statewide workers' compensation. As a result of his 37 years of extensive experience and knowledge, he was a frequent quest speaker on topics such as insurance, workers' compensation, settlement negotiations and ethics. David also published articles in these same areas. He was an adjunct professor of Workers' Compensation Law at the Walter F. George School of Law. David loved to teach and did so for nearly 18 years. He was a member of the State Bar of Georgia, as well as a member and former Chairman. He was equally active in the Macon Bar Association, where he served as President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Appointed by the Judges of the Macon Judicial Circuit as a representative of the Indigent Defense Committee for Bibb, Peach, and Crawford Counties, Mr. Higdon held this pro bono position for 14 years. Recently, the Supreme Court of Georgia named him to a five-year term on the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council for the Macon Judicial Circuit. David Higdon was admitted to practice in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and in the State, Superior, and Appellate Courts of Georgia. His other professional memberships included the William Augustus Bootle American Inns of Court; where he was a member as well as Counselor, Vice-President, and President and ABOTA, the American Board of Trial Advocates. The Inns of Court recently toasted the original toastmaster at their closing ceremonies in May with what is now commonly known as the Higdon toast. Since 1995, he was consistently listed in Woodward/White, Inc.'s The Best Lawyers in America publication and in Georiga Super Lawyers, honors based on performance and election by his peers. He was honored and humbled with the presentation of two awards in Spring 2009: a Resolution of Appreciation from the Walter F. George School of Law and a Recognition from the Georgia Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates for his exemplary integrity, professionalism, and civility. Mr. Higdon's community work centered primarily on sports. Over the years, he coached youth soccer, baseball, and softball. He also played on several competitive tennis teams, where many longtime friendships were formed. He served on boards of schools and sports organizations, most recently the Macon Tennis Association Board for over 4 years. Mr. Higdon was a member of Vineville United Methodist Church and Idle Hour Country Club. Family was most important to Mr. Higdon. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Marguerite Tomlinson Higdon; a daughter, Jennifer Higdon Lucas (Jean-Baptiste) of Switzerland; a son, David Bartlett Higdon, Jr. of Macon, Georgia; three grandchildren: Andrew Lucas, Valentine Lucas, and Victor Lucas; brother Mack Allen Higdon, Jr. of Stone Mountain, GA; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Higdon loved life, people, and all of God's creation. In lieu of flowers, he requested donations be made to Vineville United Methodist Church, 2045 Vineville Ave, Macon, GA 31204 and Save-A-Pet, Inc., PO Box 933, Forsyth, GA 31029. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory has charge of arrangements.