Nathaniel J.A. Higgins Jr.

1949 - 2021

Junior Higgins died on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, in Houston, Texas.
Junior was born in Kingston, Jamaica on October 28, 1949. He was the only child of Raphael Alexander an Electrical Engineer and Millicent Higgins an entrepreneur and decadent candy maker, which possibly led to Junior's sweet tooth. He graduated from Kingston College (KC) where he excelled academically and athletically. He was a member of KC's Manning Cup Soccer teams throughout his high school years rivaling
St. George's College. Junior attended Michigan State University (MSU) where he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, and was a member and captain of MSU's varsity soccer team from 1969-1973. While at MSU, mutual friends from Kingston introduced Junior and Pauline. The two married August 10, 1973 after Junior rather relentlessly courted Pauline long distance between Toronto and Michigan.
Junior and Pauline were blessed to have two wonderful boys Nicholas Alexander Higgins and Nathaniel Joseph Higgins, and daughter-in-law Adrianna Buford. Junior was an inspirational mentor who served his family and community. Junior was much more than a husband and father-- he was Uncle Junior to many, a Godfather, and a God fearing Father-figure to friends and family. Junior was deeply beloved by those who were blessed to experience his patience and the warmth of his focused attention. He loved God and being a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Stephen Minister, ministering to the sick.
He deeply loved his family, soccer, golf, arguing and debating politics and policies, and reading. Junior was non-judgmental and very easy going. He was a great friend to his family and colleagues, he was humble and unpretentious, and he had an amazing wit and sense of humor. He loved sports and saw playing golf as a way of having communion with nature, which he viewed as God's gift to man. A major highlight in Junior's life was traveling throughout the country watching Nathaniel compete in golf tournaments. Junior also instilled his love for soccer and golf into his sons, which nurtured and developed their strong father son relationship. He was asked to join the NFL as a team's kicker, but ultimately turned down the opportunity as he wished to advance his educational journey. He went to receive a Master in Business Administration from Louisiana State University.
In 1973, Junior joined ExxonMobil as a Chemical Engineer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and later joined AMOCO (BP). Junior retired from BP in 2008. Throughout his career he gave unwavering support to The National Association of Black Engineers (NSBE). He took pride in recruiting and mentoring colleagues, young engineers, and engineering students. Junior was a kind man with a gentle and positive spirit. He always expressed that each day was a blessing. Junior's infectious smile would add brightness to all he encountered. He truly loved, and expressed his love to all people!
Junior's love for soccer continued as he played in numerous soccer leagues all over Houston throughout his life. He also regularly traveled to Jamaica to participate in the Kingston College Old Boys Association Tournament to show off his ever-present soccer skills. While Junior has a quiet demeanor, his closest friends often describe his athleticism as a Quiet Power--both aggressive and brutal, and he was as spry as a 12 year old on the field. Junior went on to coach the 1997 AMOCO Women's Soccer Global World Cup in Belgium. Junior touched many lives through sports and he has left a long-lasting soccer legacy and has nurtured many young engineers attending MSU. There is currently an Engineering Endowment, Walker, Lartigue, and Higgins Endowment Supporting NSBE at MSU, to prolong the life, journey, and spirit of Junior Higgins and his engineering colleagues, Larry Walker and Roland Lartigue.
Junior was preceded by his parents Raphael Alexander and Millicent Higgins, and his son Nicholas Alexander Higgins.
A memorial service will be held at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, Texas, 77019, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2021. A private burial will follow. Full vaccination and masks are required for in-person attendance.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to the Walker, Lartigue, and Higgins Endowment Supporting NSBE at MSU "in memory of Junior Higgins." (https://givingto.msu.edu)