in
memoriam
J O H N D AV I D H I G G I N S , J R . ’ 4 8 of Mountain Brook, Ala., died June 21, 2013.
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n the Hill, Mr. Higgins was a member of the Fairfax Literary Society, Glee Club, 8:30 Club, and 12th Night. He ran track and played on the JV football and Greenway baseball teams. Mr. Higgins earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University in 1953 and became a certified professional engineer. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, and Kappa Tau Chi honor societies and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He played on the Cornell golf team, earning a varsity letter and becoming Cornell University golf champion. Mr. Higgins spent two years on active duty in the Army Field Artillery during the Korean War and later in the Army Reserves attaining the rank of major. Following the Army, he joined Birmingham Paper Company, serving as plant engineer and general manager. He later served as general manager of St. Regis Paper Company. He successfully started and ran two companies: American Design, Inc., which became the largest printer of labels in the Southeast, and Boxall, Inc., printing folding boxes, primarily for pharmaceuticals. Mr. Higgins served as president of the Mountain Brook City Council and on numerous boards, including the Mountain Brook Board of Zoning and Adjustment; Board of Directors of Exchange Security Bank; Board of Directors of the Birmingham Kiwanis Club; Board of the Birmingham Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, himself having attained the rank of Eagle Scout; Board of Directors of the Country Club of Birmingham; and he was a founder and board member of Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, N.C. Mr. Higgins was also a deacon and elder at Independent Presbyterian Church, a member of the Newcomer Society, president of the High Hampton Colony Club, and past member of the Shoal Creek Country Club, Cedar Creek Racquet Club, and Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. He was a member of the Two Bit Rollers, Scramblers, and High Price Dogfights, and founded the High Hampton Colony Club Men’s Dogfight. He was an avid hunter and bridge player. Mr. Allen is survived by his wife, Betty, two sons, John D. Higgins III ’79 and Lt. Col. Robert B Higgins ’81, three grandchildren, a sister, and two nieces.
J A M E S P L E A S A N TS M A S S I E , J R . ’ 4 9 of Richmond, Va., died Oct., 14, 2013.
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hile at EHS, Mr. Massie was Senior Monitor and waiter and played on the varsity and JV football and track teams and the cake football team. He was a member of the Missionary Society, Stewart Athletic Club, E Club, Hop Committee, Wilmer Society, and choir. He was also vice president of the Fairfax Literary Society. He graduated from Episcopal in advance standing and matriculated at the University of Virginia where he earned a degree in biology, was a member of Delta Psi Fraternity, a varsity letterman in track, manager for the University’s “Corks and Curls” yearbook, and assistant manager of varsity football. After U.Va., Mr. Massie served in the U.S. Coast Guard for the Coast Guard 5th District Headquarters in Norfolk, Va. Later, he was a broker for Davenport and Company in Richmond, Va., before moving to Goochland County and discovering his love for farming. He loved the land, and particularly that of his farm at Dungeness. Mr. Massie was a member of the Society of Cincinnati of South Carolina and served for many years on the Collegiate School Board of Trustees. He is survived by his wife, Joy, two sisters, two sons, a daughter, and 10 grandchildren. EHS relatives include his nephew, William S. Peebles IV ’73.
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