John Steven "Steve" Higginbotham aged 66, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, after a short illness.

Steve was born in Junction City, Kansas, on March 11,1959. As the son of an Army veteran, his childhood was spent traveling the world. Steve's first trip to Germany happened when he was just two years old. He made two more trips to Germany in the years before he was 18. He visited Italy twice and saw Rome, Venice, and Pompeii.

Steve always strived for academic excellence. He was awarded the Rensselaer Medal from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for superlative achievement in math and science as a junior in high school. Steve went on to study aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech where he met his future wife, Cynthia. He then graduated from Mississippi State with a degree in Computer Engineering.

Steve proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. As an Electrician's Mate Second Class (Nuclear), he served aboard the submarines USS Kamehameha SSBN 642 and the USS Dallas SSN 700. He received his Navy submarine dolphin pin and his SSBN Deterrent Patrol pin while serving.

Steve's career after the Navy involved several companies involved in pre-GPS navigation systems. He travelled to Kuwait during his development and coding of a tracking related real-time system for the Kuwaiti government. Later in his career, he worked for Textron Marine & Land Services on developing software for controlling the engines on the Navy's hovercraft landing vehicle. He also tested the programs during the Navy's sea trials.

Steve's early travels influenced him his entire life. From Mammoth Cave National Park to Yosemite, he delighted in the beauty of the country. He visited Land Between the Lakes in Tennessee and Kentucky quite often.

As an Elder at Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA, Steve carried his beliefs with him always.

Steve is survived by his wife Cynthia and daughter Rebecca Rahne. He has two brothers- Ernest Jeffrey (Donna) and Russ Michael (Patt). His father, Ernest Clinton, also survives him. He is preceded in death by his mother, Vera Rochelle Higginbotham.

The funeral service will be held at the Poplar Flats Baptist Church, Louisville, Mississippi, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 2:00pm; led by Reverend Michael Childs. Visitation hours will be 1:00pm until 2:00pm at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local food bank or Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans.