Carl Stephen Higgs, age 78, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. He was born July 3, 1942, in Rocky Ford, Colorado, the son of Willard Carl and Frances “Shanny” Lou Anna (Coats) Higgs.

Carl moved to Ulysses in 1957 from Crowley, Colorado. After graduating from Grant County Rural High School, Carl started farming sugar beets with his father. Carl then went on and continued farming until he retired in 2010. During that time, Carl farmed wheat, corn, milo, alfalfa, oats, and barley. He also ran some wheat pasture cattle in the winter for a few years. Carl loved to hunt when he was younger and always enjoyed fishing. He even made his own fishing pond on the farm. Carl and Sue had a fleet of quarter horses they raised, trained, and then went on to compete in quarter horse racing. Anyone that knew Carl knew his love for the casino and playing the slot machines. Carl served as a Grant County Commissioner from 1995 to 2015. Carl never met a stranger and was a great friend to many, but his farovite role in life was being a Papa.

Carl married Katherine Sue Allen on September 1, 1962, in Ulysses, Kansas, she survives; other survivors include a daughter, Sherry Annis and husband Beaty of Ulysses; a son, Stephen Higgs and wife Bobbi of Ulysses; brother, David Higgs and wife Teri of Ulysses; sisters, Darla Lee Wyeno of Olney Springs, Colorado, Lou Ann Summers and husband Merle of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Tracie Lamberson and husband Garry of Kennewic, Washington; brother-in-law, Mark Tully of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Brynden Annis, Tate Annis and wife Jessica, Cole Higgs and wife Makayla, Cayden Higgs and wife Shirea, Shae Higgs, Steven Leatherman, and Dallas Leatherman, and four great-grandchildren, Bentley, Easton, Bryndle, and Everleigh.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Shelley Dawn Higgs; brother, Curtis James Higgs; sister, Janice Mary Tully; and brother-in-law, Harry Wyeno.

Graveside service will be Friday, October 16, 2020, at 2:00 PM at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas, with Reverend Todd Guinn officiating. The service may also be viewed on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook Live. Visitation will be Thursday, October 15, 2020, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to the First United Methodist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kansas 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.