James Stewart Higley

James Stewart 'Stu' Higley, 77 of Cozad, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2022, with family by his side, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.

Stu was born April 5, 1945 in Omaha, Nebraska and raised in Cozad, Nebraska. He was the eldest child of Clarence 'Red' and Ethel Elaine (Marshall) Higley. Stu graduated Cozad High School in 1963 and attended Arizona State University on a baseball scholarship while he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He played centerfield until Reggie Jackson came along. He met and married Sally Bateson in 1971 in California where they raised their 4 children. Stu and his family moved back to Nebraska in 1994. 

Stu is best remembered for his corny jokes, disgust of onions, sports fanatic, love of card games and as an absolute wizard with numbers. He was fair and friendly to all and is deeply missed. 

Stu was preceded in death by his parents, Red and Elaine Higley; sister, Barb (Higley) McLaughlin; sister-in-law, Sheila Higley; and infant brother, Richard Higley. 

He is survived by, and will always be loved by, his children: Todd, Cameron, Amanda, and Ginny; Five Grandchildren whom he adored: Davis, Olivia, Audrey, Quinn and Emerson; brothers he admired: Ron and Alan and his nephews and nieces: Janet, Matt, Jared, Mark, Katie and Jordan.

Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the family in his name for later designation. Stu’s wishes were to be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jill Boyd officiating. Memorial book signing with family present will be Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.