Clarence Bailey Higby passed away peacefully at home on December 11th of Primary Progressive Aphasia, surrounded by his family.

Clare was born on September17, 1937 in Mt. Clemens Michigan to Clarence C & Mary B Higby. He spent his early years on a farm in Romeo MI. After the death of his father, his mother moved he and his two younger sisters into the Village of Romeo. Clare graduated from Romeo High School and then the University of Michigan. He worked for a year at the Continental Bank of Chicago, but returned to Michigan to join the Air Force Reserves and attend Michigan State University where he received his MBA and also met his wife Kay.

After graduation he worked for 2 years at Ford Division in Dearborn Ml helping develop the cost basis of the newly developed Ford Mustang. Deciding to change careers he used both his financial background and his love of people and joined the brokerage firm of Goodbody & Co. He remained in the brokerage profession for 50 years, ultimately retiring from UBS. Clare and Kay made their home in Bloomfield Hills Ml, raising their two children Christa and Kurt. Clare enjoyed all the team sports in high school, in college intramural sports and later participation in tennis, squash and golf. He particularly enjoyed watching his children compete in sports, especially swimming. He was a member of Stonycroft Golf Club, a Past President of the Birmingham Athletic Club and member of the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham MI.

Clare and Kay moved to the Landings in 2008 and quickly made new friends enjoying their friendship and the beauty of the Island. He was a member of the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church and the Kiwanis Club . Clare loved life. He loved meeting new people and never found anyone he couldn't talk to, which became a joke in the family. He was totally devoted to his wife and his children. He had very high ethical and moral standards and expected it of others. He believed that if you tried hard, anything was possible. He felt very strong ties to the family farm in Romeo and always looked forward to visiting and touring with the families involved. His strong work ethic was founded in farm life, caring for animals, picking and sorting peaches, (always his favorite fruit) and learning the value of hard work. His extended family was his world.

In addition to his parents, he his preceded in death by his brother Elmore, whom he always admired. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Kay Millikin Higby, his Children Christa June Smith (Harley Jr.) and their daughter Taylor and his son Kurt (Catessa Emmorey) and two grandchildren Sierra and Bailey, 5 step grandchildren and one great grandson, his sisters Dr Mary Higby of Birmingham Mi and Sara Tucker of Lawrenceville NJ., her children Matthew Tucker and Megan Gimbel and his sister-in-law Joann Higby of Romeo Michigan.

We are especially grateful for the excellent care he received from Missy, Tanya and the entire Spanish Oaks Hospice team. Also to caregivers Spencer, Sheneikia and Sabrinia. The family suggests any remembrances be sent to Hope Arbor Respite Program at the Isle of Hope Methodist Church 412 Parkersburg Rd, Savannah 31406 or the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration — AFTD, 2700 Horizon Dr., King of Prussia PA 19406, A virtual memorial service will be held at a later date.