David John Higdon

1954 - 2020

BORN

1954

DIED

2020

About

San Bernardino High School

David Higdon Obituary

David John Higdon David John Higdon, 66, of Atascadero, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 11, 2020. David was born in Bedford, England, to Raymond and Marianne Higdon. He was fortunate to have grown up in many different places as a result of his father's military career, finally settling in Southern California and graduating from San Bernardino High School in 1972. David began his lifelong passion and career working on mechanical equipment in San Bernardino first as an amateur racecar mechanic, then as a general aviation mechanic at Miro Field in Rialto while earning his private pilot's license and then graduating to a journeyman machinist rebuilding and maintaining locomotives for the Santa Fe Railroad, a position he held close to his heart. In 1990 David moved to the Central Coast of California to give his family a better life. In 2016, after 30 years of public service, he retired as the Supervisor of Caltrans' Equipment Shop 5 in San Luis Obispo. David enjoyed fishing, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, and cooking for his family. He is survived by his wife Jeannie Abney and her children Spencer and Sydney, daughters Sarah and Meghan, sister Sarah and brother-in-law David Chesebro, nephew Samuel Chesebro and his wife and daughter Michelle and Payton, brother Timothy, and mother Marianne. He is preceded in death by his wife Donita, father Raymond and Grandmother Annie Percival. A memorial service will be held at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in Atascadero when we can all gather and celebrate David's life. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to The Marine Mammal Center 1385 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442 as a tribute to his love and respect for the ocean.

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Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Apr. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for David Higdon

10 Entries

Ben Watson

February 4, 2022

David and I became friends in 1966 while we both lived at a boarding house in Hatch End outside of London. We shared a love of cars years before either of us could drive. After coming back to the states we kept in touch sporadically. To me it always seemed that a phone call or a random afternoon together talking about common interests made it seem like we shared a friendship almost as close as next door neighbors. The planet is a lonelier place now. Rest easy my friend.

Tish

May 5, 2020

I am so sorry for your familys loss. May you all find comfort in the memories of happy times shared with each other.

John Lewis

April 29, 2020

It was through work that Dave and I became acquainted. As others have mentioned he had a ready smile. When I went to the shop I always knew if he was free for a few words there would be smiles and laughter. After I retired I woukd go by to say hi and how is everybody doing? Lost track of Dave as the years have gone by. Notice of his passing was a shock. My condolences to his family. RIP Dave, thank you for the smiles and laughter.

Ron Belben

April 19, 2020

I met Dave many moons ago at Caltrans, he worked at Shop 5 and I at Special Crews. I instantly took a liken to him, he had that easy laid back way about him, nothin seemed to ruffle his feathers. Once when I was on vacation, the car I was in broke down out in the boonies near Mesquite Nevada on a Labor Day weekend. I called Dave for help and he helped guide me how to temporarily make a fix so we could limp it to a repair shop in town.
When Dave and I were working out of town at the same time we'd hang out at the Lone Oak Motel (Daves favorite) in Monterey. We'd share a couple adult beverages and try and figure the world out. Still trying to do that one though.
Dave and I surfed a lot together at Atascadero State Beach. Dave would ride his boogie board and I would ride my long board. I nicknamed Dave, Shark Bait. The reason for the nickname Shark Bait is while waiting for waves to come, I was on my long board on top of the water and he was on his boogie board in the water. And Dave wearing a wetsuit floating in the water looked like a nice tasty juicy morsel to a Great White that might be swimming by. I always felt a little safer surfing when Shark Bait was in the water with me.
I loved hangin out with Dave, we had lots of good times, we laughed a lot, we had lots of things in common and we helped each other out through some difficult times. We shared a special time of our lives together and I'll always be grateful for those memories and I'll never forget them. We'd lost touch since I retired and moved away from the Central Coast, but Dave was always in my heart. Dave was a good man, and he taught me a lot about life. I know someday, we'll be catching some clean glassy 4 footers with no sharks to worry about.
Rest In Peace Shark Bait, I'll love you forever.

Maggie Reid

April 19, 2020

I am so sorry to hear this. Dave was such a wonderful person, and a joy to work with. My condolences to his family.

Dawn Legg

April 18, 2020

Very sorry to learn of your Brother David's passing Tim. He looked like an amazing man. Many prayers to you, your Mom and the family.

Ann Danko

April 17, 2020

This picture is how I will always remember David... with a huge smile on his face and laughing whole heartedly. Everyone that knew him misses him. My best to his entire family.

Mike Keller

April 17, 2020

We havent kept in touch much after my retirement 10 yrs ago but whenever I was in SLO generally made a point of looking for Dave. From day one when we met there was always a connection because of racing and fast cars. We had conversations on many subjects. Guess well have to wait to continue these bs sessions. RIP my friend.

Fred and Vicky Doehring

April 17, 2020

Our sincere condolences.