John Higdon

John L. Higdon, Jr., 87, passed away on Monday, November 19, 2012, at his home in Wildomar, CA, from complications of pneumonia. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00p.m. on December 1, 2012, at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory St., Abilene. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery with VFW Honor Guard present and the playing of taps under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home.

Mr. Higdon was born April 2, 1925. He was the loving father of three sons, David, Danny, and Russell; and two daughters, Carol and Kathleen; a loving grandfather to 5 grandsons and 6 granddaughters; 5 great-grandsons and 7 great-granddaughters and their families. Also, 5 step-children and their families.

He is predeceased in death by his parents, John L. Higdon, Sr. and Ruby Kate Higdon; sister, Mary Catherine Robertson; two sons, John L. Higdon, III and Phillip Wade Higdon; and wives, Virginia Higdon, Ima Dean Higdon, and Florence Higdon.

John graduated from Abilene High School in 1944 as a star athlete lettering in football, basketball, track, and tennis. Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Navy amidst World War II. He proudly served his country for 3-1/2 years on the USS Suwannee.

Mr. Higdon then married and went to Sul Ross State University, where he received a full scholarship. He was a member of the 1949 football team that was undefeated and never tied in the state of Texas, and played in the Tangerine Bowl. He was inducted into Sul Ross’ Hall of Honor in 2001.

John then took his wife and young children to Midland, TX to begin his coaching and teaching career. That career spanned some 45 years in high school, college sports, and teaching. He coached and taught in Midland, TX, Paducah, TX, Clovis, NM, Alamogordo, NM, Roswell, NM, Las Cruces, NM, Ridgecrest, CA and Scottsdale, AZ. His coaching style and his passion for education inspired the lives of many young men and women, some whom became close friends years later. Many of those players will attend his celebration service sharing how he had touched their lives, a true testament to the impact he made during his coaching and teaching tenure.

Mr. Higdon was a true man of faith and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. His 87 years were filled with the love of God, family, friends, teaching and sports. He was an inspiration to us all.