Michael Higgins

Michael Dean Higgins



Michael Dean Higgins passed away peacefully on April 1, 2018 in Raton, NM. He was born in San Bernardino, CA on June 14, 1948 to William and Mary Higgins, their third child and only son. He graduated from high school in Camarillo, CA and college at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM with a bachelor of arts degree in music. He met his wife, Florence (Braught) Higgins, while in college. They were married June 14, 1969, shortly before his college graduation. He immediately put his degree to work as the Band Director in Moriarty, NM. During his time in Moriarty, he also earned his Master's Degree in music. He would go on to teach music in Raton, Springer and Tucumcari before retiring in 1997. Following up his retirement as a public school educator, he spent time teaching music at Trinidad State Junior College and for New Mexico Highlands University. He was also the choir director at First UMC for 26 years. He also spent 13 years as the morning D.J. on KRTN radio. He had a deep love for music: listening to it, teaching it, and performing it. Throughout his life, he played trumpet professionally with many organizations and volunteered his time and talents for community choirs, bands, and musicals. Among the many musicals he directed were A Christmas Carol, Annie and Carousel. He will be remembered for his dedication to musical performance and education, his quick wit, quirky jokes, extensive vocabulary, and love of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dallas Cowboys. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Kathy. He is survived by his wife, Florence Higgins; his sister, Evelyn Kramer and husband Dick Kramer; son, Michael Higgins and wife Lara Czajkowski Higgins; daughter, Kirstyn Hart and husband Jay Hart; and five grandchildren â€" Christopher, Logan, Tessa, Krislyn, and Kye.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on April 14th, 2018 at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church in Raton, NM, with lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements and Celebration of Love for Michael Dean Higgins are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton, NM.