Jimmy Huggins (Jim), a longtime resident of Durant, Oklahoma, passed from this life on October 22, 2025, at the age of 69. Jim departed peacefully of natural causes in the comfort of his own home. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Jim was born in Richmond, California, but spent a lot of his childhood in Oklahoma. As an adult, he lived in various states, including Nevada, Mississippi, and Texas. Jim was a survivor of the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when he lost everything except the clothes on his back. He made his way back to Oklahoma to build a new life. He was proud to be of Choctaw heritage and glad to be back home.
Jim came from a hard-working family, often working alongside his dad and brothers. They did excellent carpentry work, specializing in drywall finishing. On his own, Jim remodeled old homes, provided lawncare services, and could fix just about anything! During his free time, Jim enjoyed working on old cars, spending time with family, and hanging out with his friends.
Jim was the epitome of what it means to be a friend. His love for others was timeless and priceless. One example of many acts of kindness was his ability to help a grief-stricken family. Almost 20 years ago, he had the lowest bid on a cabinet replacement job for a recently widowed mother of five children, aged 9-20. That one job lasted an entire year because it led to other repairs being needed, until the house was completely remodeled! When the home was finished, Jim quietly disappeared.
During his stay, he became close friends with all five kids. Jim always had a listening ear and genuine compassion that helped them through the most difficult time of their young lives. He was able to connect with each one at their unique level, never being without a story or an analogy that would fit any occasion. Many years later, Jim reunited with the family, saying it was too difficult to say goodbye when his work was complete. But Jim’s work was never complete, for the seeds he planted will live on forever.
Although Jim was a hard worker, he took rest and relaxation just as seriously! After a full day’s work, he could be found under a shade tree for hours on end, enjoying nature and all the simplicities of life. He saw beyond the chaos of a busy world and tapped into spiritual awareness, which gave him the ability to radiate peace and connect with people of all ages. Jim could always find a reason to smile. He truly took life easy, once saying, “y’all slow down and enjoy your food, life is too short to rush.”
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Cortez Huggins in 2014, whom he was very close to, and his mother, Carolyn Hutton.
Jim is survived by his stepmother Lynda Huggins of Maud, Okla.; brothers: Allen and Cody Huggins of Durant, Okla.; sister Natasha Bourbeau of Maud, Okla.; nephews and their wives: John and Kalie Huggins and Joseph and Savannah Brese, all of Yukon, Okla.; nieces: Rebecca Huggins and Skilynn Bourbeau of Maud, Okla.; great nephews, Cadmus and Cilix Huggins; and great niece, Ember Huggins. Also, Jim’s longtime friends Larry Choate and Sheila Folsom-Thompson and Family.
Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service.