Family of Auburn student found dead in Japan launches effort to honor his memory
Weston Higginbotham's family encouraged mourners to "take a walk at a state park, eat a vegan meal this week, stop and admire the sunset."
Ethan Parker 
The family of James “Weston” Higginbotham, an Auburn University student whose life was tragically cut short during a recent trip to Japan, is working to preserve his legacy through a new scholarship initiative.
The 20-year-old was reported missing on May 29 following a disagreement with his mother, Nancy, during their international vacation. Following an intensive, days-long search, a volunteer rescue group located Higginbotham’s body in a mountainous region near Kyoto. Nancy Higginbotham shared the heartbreaking news of his passing via Facebook on June 7. While Japanese officials have stated that the cause of death will not be disclosed, the loss of the vibrant student has been felt deeply by his community.
Honoring a Passionate Life
As reported in an obituary published on 205focus.com, Higginbotham’s family has established the James “Weston” Higginbotham Endowed Scholarship. The fund aims to support students in the ecological engineering program at Auburn University—a field Weston was deeply dedicated to as part of his commitment to environmental sustainability.
Those wishing to pay their respects can attend a funeral service held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at Asbury United Methodist Church.
A Legacy of Adventure and Kindness
Remembered for his charismatic smile and adventurous spirit, Weston was a standout student who balanced his academic pursuits in Biosystems Engineering with a love for the outdoors. A graduate of Spain Park High School, he was active in several organizations at Auburn, including the climbing and triathlon teams, Engineers Without Borders, ASABE, and ASAP. He had been preparing to travel to Bolivia in August to lead a project focused on water distribution to a local village.
His family described him as a natural leader who loved authentic experiences, from hunting for vintage clothing to navigating foreign landscapes using only a paper map. Whether skiing, mountain biking, or hiking through Yosemite, the Swiss Alps, or the Camino de Santiago, Weston was always driven by a love for nature and a desire to live intentionally.
To honor his memory, his family invites others to embrace the simple joys Weston cherished: "Take a walk at a state park, eat a vegan meal this week, stop and admire the sunset, tell those close to you how much you love them, and reduce the noise in your life."
