Leon Eugene Highsmith

Our beloved father and grandfather, Leon Eugene Highsmith, died of natural causes at his home in South Jordan, Utah on August 12, 2016. He was born May 22, 1934 in Hickox, Georgia to James and Eunice Highsmith. Mr. Highsmith graduated from Brantley County High School in 1952. Then, Eugene attended the University of Georgia from 1952 - 1953, Duke University from 1953 - 1954, and the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada from 1955 - 1956. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1960 and was subsequently admitted to the Georgia Bar in January 1961. Among his many accomplishments, Eugene clerked for the Honorable Judge Anthony Alaimo from 1962 - 1963, then he worked for the Gilbert Law Firm in Brunswick, Georgia from 1963-1964. He clerked for the Honorable Judge John S. Bell of the Georgia Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia from 1964 – 1969. Eugene was the Assistant District Attorney of the Stone Mountain Circuit from 1969 – 1971, and he was associated with J.S. Hutto from 1971 – 1972. Mr. Highsmith was a Judge of the Glynn County State Court from 1973 – 1977, a U.S. Magistrate Judge from 1979 – 1987, and Brunswick City Attorney from 1978 to 1993. Afterwards, he had a successful private law practice until he formally retired in 2015.

He is preceded in death by his parents James and Eunice Highsmith of Nahunta, Georgia and his sister Lafane (John) Davis of Nahunta, Georgia. He is survived by his daughters Helen Highsmith Cali, M.D. (Utah) and Katie Highsmith (New York); and his grandchildren Martin Allie (Bodie) Hollingsworth IV and Victoria Evelyn Hollingsworth of South Jordan, Utah.

His family expresses deep gratitude to the friends and staff at Sagewood in Daybreak for the wonderful care they provided during his final months.

A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

Funeral Home:
Jenkins-Soffe South Valley
1007 W. South Jordan Parkway
South Jordan, UT