Obituaries & Tributes

Richard ‘Rick’ Higgins: Sept. 2, 1947 – April 8, 2022

RICK HIGGINS

Richard ‘Rick’ Higgins: Sept. 2, 1947 – April 8, 2022 

Richard “Rick” Higgins passed away on April 8, 2022 at the age of 74 in his hometown of Creswell, Oregon.

Born Sept. 2, 1947 in Eugene, Ore. to Richard & Jean Higgins, he was the oldest of 7 children. He is survived by his daughters Jeanna Pierron (Michael), Angela Sargent, his companion Debbie Wright, five grandchildren: Joshua, Jessica, Joscelyn, Jordan and Nicholas, one great-grandchild, Frederik, three brothers: Gary, Barry and Kerry, one sister, Sherry Smith, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and two sisters: Rebecca McClendon and Vicki Reed.

A 1965 graduate of Chino High School. Rick was drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam. He served with the Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division where he was wounded in combat and awarded three Purple Hearts.

After Vietnam, Rick came home, went to college, started a family, and a construction business in California until he retired and moved back to Oregon to be with his mother and siblings.

An avid fisherman who loved family camping trips & barbecues, NASCAR, hockey and football, Rick was a family man with a great sense of humor who was an amazing father, grandfather, companion, brother, and a friend to so many. He was also a proud veteran, as a member of the VFW, he worked his way up and became the VFW State Commander for Oregon. He was passionate about veterans and veterans’ rights. Working tirelessly, he met and talked with veterans, encouraged them to join the VFW, helped them with VA claims, medical needs, extended the hand of friendship and camaraderie. He traveled to Washington, D.C. several times to meet and talk with Senators and Congressmen to advocate for their rights and to support bills on the floor to pass.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Christ, Creswell. A graveside interment at Pioneer Cemetery in Creswell, and a reception immediately following at the VFW Post #4039 in Creswell. All are invited to attend to celebrate this wonderful man!

Smith-Lund-Mills is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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