ALTAMONT — George H. Higgins, 80, of Altamont died at 9:02 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He had been in failing health for several years.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1931, in Leonard, Texas, to John Paul and Dorothy Viola (Branch) Higgins. He grew up in Leonard, where he attended school and graduated from high school.

In 1947, he entered the U.S. Army. He served his country for over 20 years. He received a bronze star during the Korean conflict, two bronze stars during the Vietnam conflict, the National Defense medal with oak leaf cluster and the Vietnam service medal. He was honorably discharged in 1969 with a rank of sergeant first class.

After retirement from the army, he managed convenience stores in Sherman, Texas, until entering a career in law enforcement. He was employed by the Oswego Police Department before joining the Labette County Sheriff’s Department, where he served as undersheriff. He then worked as a special investigator for the Labette County attorney’s office. On Feb. 12, 1985, he became chief of police for the city of Altamont, where he worked until retiring on June 30, 1993.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Altamont. He enjoyed fishing and NASCAR.

He married Jeanne Chauvaux on Dec. 27, 1974, in Parsons. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include three sons, George Higgins Jr. and his wife, Tammy, of Carl Junction, Mo., Steve Higgins and his wife, Amy, of Parsons and Lynn Nolder of Bartlesville, Okla.; four daughters, Dorothy Jones of Columbus, Shirley Nelson and her husband, Ross, of Livingston, Texas, Susan Godwin and her husband, Burl, of Sherman, Texas, and Linda Wolgamott and her husband, John, of Altamont; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Paul Higgins of Oswego.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, three sisters and daughter, Carol Deming.

Following cremation, the service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont. Burial of the cremains will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.