|
COACH R.S. HIGGINS JR HOBBS, N.M. - On April 23, 2010, Coach
R.S. Higgins Jr. left the playing field to claim his ultimate victory
after 77 years of competition.
Born September 3, 1932, in El Paso, Texas, to loving parents Esther and
R.S. Sr., they moved to Martin County in 1945. He was active in the 4-H
and school activities, graduating from Stanton High School in 1950. R.S.
attended Texas A&M University on a track scholarship and was in the
Corps of Cadets.
He was a founding member of the rodeo team, riding bulls and steer
dogging.
After graduating in 1954, he was a County Agent in Bracketville and
Eastland, wrote and had race horses, and was a ranch manager in Howard
County.
In 1962, he found his passion and began teaching and coaching in
Coahoma. He received his Masters in Education from A&M in 1970 as he
continued to positively change lives through his example of perseverance
and encouragement in pursuit of excellence.
He went on to successful seasons in Belton, Big Spring, Alice, Mexia,
Carrollton/Farmers Branch, Deer Park, University of New Mexico,
Pearland, Richmond/Rosenburg and Hobbs, N.M. R.S. ended his career in
the 2001 championships with the Krusaders of Karlstad, Sweden. Returning
to his friends and church family in Hobbs, R.S. enjoyed dancing, camper
traveling and fishing, making rope baskets, Methodist Men breakfast
meetings and eating ice cream. Being diagnosed with Parkinsons disease
in 2005 did not beat him; he merely got “outscored” in the final
seconds.
He is survived by his family - his loving wife of 30 years, Yvonne;
sister, Harriett Higgins of Midland; daughters and son and their
spouses, Dawn Higgins of Mexia, Becky Clowers of Round Rock, Debbie
Walker of Leakey, Roger Dugan of Hurst and daughter-in-law, Dale
McMichael of Dayton, Ohio; grandchildren, Meredith and Claire Higgins,
Wyatt and Clayton Turk, Jennifer Dugan, Michelle Williams and Wesley
Clowers; and a great-granddaughter, Hannah Williams.
He is received in heaven by his parents; his sister, Betty Marie; and
sons, Scott and Bryan Neal Higgins.
Coach Higgins’ encouraging spirit will be missed but never forgotten by
the “Mullet” coaching family and his many, many friends.
Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010, at First
United Methodist Church in Hobbs, N.M., with the Reverend Darren Skinner
officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the student athlete scholarship
fund that has been established: R.S. Higgins Scholarship, First Texas
Bank, 6811 Indiana, Lubbock, Texas, 79413, 806-793-4778, attn: Melissa
or Callie.
Arrangements were entrusted to Griffin Funeral Home. |
Carrollton-Farmers
Branch TXGenWeb