Chad Marcus Higgins

1943 - 2022

Chad Marcus Higgins

Chad Marcus Higgins, 79, passed away peacefully on Nov. 6 surrounded by family. Chad was born on April 6, 1943 in Tulsa. His father, also named Chad Higgins, was killed serving in World War II six months later. Chad was raised by his mother Regenia and her second husband, Robert Brown. Along with siblings Janice, Jarene and Rob Brown, Chad grew up in Mississippi, Wyoming and Texas.

After graduating from Kermit (Texas) High School, Chad moved in with his grandparents, Clarence and Allie Tankersley, to attend the University of Tulsa. In Tulsa, he often "ran around" with his uncle, Hugh Tankersley, who was more like an older brother. He excelled in the TU broadcast program as sports director for KWGS, the student-run FM station. Chad was the voice of the Golden Hurricane, calling play by play for football, basketball and baseball in 1963-64. He often reminisced about being part of a record-setting era in Tulsa football. While at TU, he met the love of his life, Hillcrest Nursing School student Janet Groshong. The two were soon inseparable and married on Sept. 12, 1964.

Following his 1964 graduation with a B.A. in Communications, Chad continued in radio for a few years, but eventually moved out of broadcasting to work for companies such as Rockwell and Telex. The couple's first son, Steven Marcus, was born in 1967, followed by James Allen in 1970. Chad and his young sons enjoyed countless carefree afternoons playing backyard football and basketball. In 1976, Chad joined Tulsa County as Assistant Director of Administrative Services. The following year, he was promoted to Director, reporting directly to the Board of Tulsa County Commissioners, a position he held until his retirement in 2012.

Always putting family first, Chad was devoted to caring for Janet as she battled pulmonary fibrosis. Janet passed away in 2009, which devastated Chad. After retiring from Tulsa County, Chad enjoyed spending time with family, friends and his trusty beagle Duke. He also became close to his caretaker Christina Daczewitz and her family, and began attending Boston Avenue Methodist Church. An avid TU sports fan, he never missed a game broadcast. As a movie buff, he watched and re-watched favorites like "High Noon," "Shane" and "The Searchers." He also loved books on history, presidents, the Old West, movies and astronomy. But most of all he loved and cared about people, helping friends and family in any way he could. He greeted everyone with a smile, a joke, a hug. That's how family and friends will remember him.

He is survived by son Steven Higgins and his wife, Linda Strong, of Tulsa; son James Higgins of Tulsa; sister Jarene Teeters and husband Robert of Midland, Texas; brother Robert Brown and wife Paula of Broken Arrow, Okla., and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins.

Services will be 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be directed to a charity of their choice or the Janet Colleen Higgins Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund at The University of Tulsa. Gifts may be made through www.utulsa.edu/giving or by check to 800 S. Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK 74105.