Dr. Allen Higgins

Dr. Jeffery Allen Higgins was born May 31, 1979 to Kimball and Wendy Higgins in Duluth, Minnesota. On October 2, 2021, Dr. Higgins died peacefully in his home of kidney complications following a brief illness. He was surrounded by family, friends, and his beloved pets.

Jeff grew up in different parts of Minnesota with his parents and brother Benn, who was a mere fourteen months younger. A child who never met a challenge he wouldn't face, Jeff taught himself to take apart, put back together and fix everything from toasters to laptops. He later moved to Springfield, Missouri attending Glendale High School then earned his Associate's Degree and worked in computer networking and administration. Jeff later completed his Bachelor's Degree in Cell and Molecular Biology with a focus in Genetics from Missouri State University and then a Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Dr. Higgins was his class president all four years, a feat that had not been accomplished since the 1960's. He bought a small practice in Lathrop, Missouri and served the community with pride. In 2011, Dr. Higgins joined Olathe Dental Care Center as only the third owner in more than sixty years of practice. Jeff was a wonderful clinician and enjoyed treating his patients and working alongside his staff.

Jeff met the love of his life, MaKenzi, in 2007 during his last year of dental school. Jeff and Kenzi had their first date at the Classic Cup on the Plaza, where they met for coffee and ended up spending seven hours talking and laughing. Kenzi came home from their first date and said she knew she had met her husband, and she was right. Jeff and Kenzi were married in Negril, Jamacia on March 30, 2013, a place they loved to enjoy together. It would be rare to meet a person who knew Jeff that didn't know about Kenzi. Jeff lit up every time she walked in the room and beamed with pride telling patients and friends about her work as an attorney and their adventures together.

Jeff was soft-spoken, fiercely loyal, kind-hearted, and a man of deep and abiding faith. He loved spending time with family and friends and never met a stranger. Jeff was widely traveled, although he always said London was his favorite destination. Jeff was an avid motorcyclist, and loved his Thunderbird and going for a drive with the top down. Jeff even liked watching Chiefs and University of Oklahoma football team with Kenzi and tolerated her yelling at the plays.

Jeff always had a smile and was willing to help whenever asked. He and Kenzi were involved in a multitude of charitable organizations and raised money for Boys and Girls Club of Olathe, Special Patient Care at UMKC School of Dentistry, Center of Grace and Grace United Methodist Missions, and a host of others. Together they donated over 1000 pounds of food and toiletries to local food banks and animal shelters each year. Jeff truly changed the lives of all who knew him, and many who never got to meet him at all.

Jeff is survived by his beloved wife MaKenzi Higgins, brother Benn Higgins (Ashley), parents Kim and Wendy Higgins, mother-in-law Pam Upchurch, sister-in-law Marissa Paine (Michael), nephews, cousins and numerous extended family to both he and his wife. He is also survived by his fur-babies, cats Sven and Wee Peepers, and two rescue dogs Magnus and Kaia.


In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been established in Jeff's honor at the UMKC School of Dentistry.

To donate by check:
UMKC Foundation
650 East 25th St.
Kansas City, Missouri 64108-2784
Must denote "Jeffery A. Higgins Memorial Scholarship Fund" in the Memo

To donate by credit card, they are accepting gifts over the phone at the following:
Hilary Wheat- 816-235-2173
Audriana Thompson- 816-235-2142
Please mention "Jeffery A. Higgins Memorial Scholarship Fund"


The family will receive guests for a Visitation from 5:00-7:00pm at Penwell Gabel's Olathe Chapel on Friday, October 8, 2021. The Funeral Service will be held at the families' church, Grace United Methodist, 11485 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061 on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 10:00am. Following the service, Dr. Higgins' ashes will be both interred at Pleasant Valley Cemetery and scattered by his family in Jamaica at a later date.






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