Millard A. Higgins

MILLARD ALLEN HIGGINS

Memorial services for Millard Allen Higgins, a longtime resident of Lebanon, will be held on Friday, October 21st, at the Lewis Arriola Community Center beginning at 2:00 p.m. He passed away peacefully at his home with his beloved wife Eva Joylene, and family by his side on October 14, 2022 at the age of 93. Private interment services will take place at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Lewis with Pastor Travis Randolph officiating. Visitation will be Friday between the hours of 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Millard was born to Allen Denton "Dent" Higgins and Louise Margeritte (Miller) Higgins on May 31, 1929 in Sweetwater, OK. He married Eva Joylene (Wilson) Higgins in Gallup, NM. Millard and Joylene were married for 74 years.

Dad started working at young age, first by helping his dad on the family homestead and farm north of Lewis, the “Horn Place,” he went on to farm for Mr. Livingston, where he earned his first brand new Ford car. After he met and married Joylene, he began living and working for Crowley Farm, in Eastland, Utah. He also worked for Roy Retherford and Eugene Johnson as a ranch and farm hand. He went on to drive truck for over 40 years which included, T-Gai Farms Trucking doing long hauls taking wheat and beans to places like California, and eventually took a job hauling for C.B Johnson Trucking from the mines in the Naturita Area. Somewhere in between, he chased wild-horses. He then started his own company “Higgins Brothers Trucking,” with his sons and ranching full-time. He enjoyed many things, hunting, camping, and fishing. He also enjoyed riding his Cadillac of Mules, “Molly.” Molly took him over mountain ridges, canyons and the wild blue yonder. Molly never packed; only the rider, and the only other rider was mom. He enjoyed participating in the Pony Express in years past, where he shared his love of horses which lead to the creation of the Four Corners Paint Horse Association. He enjoyed seeing the beautiful paint colts when they were born, which he shared enthusiastically with his family, grandkids and anyone who was interested.

He and mom began ranching after purchasing their Stoner Mesa permit, and today they have expanded to Twin Springs. Their sons and grandkids continue to expand and work the cattle today. Throughout the years, he worked cattle with his sons, branded, moved or fixed fence on the land. He thoroughly enjoyed riding the mountains, moving cows in the spring and fall, checking fences, dropping off salt or a ride through the trails on the permit. He often would ride with family, if not friends. He rode his horse until his health would no longer permit. He still would haul the loading chute to meet the truck, haul water to the cows, feed or fix fence when needed until a few weeks ago. Driving out to winter pasture in New Mexico, or Arizona you might have found him in the water trough or sitting back enjoying the evening breeze after a long day working cattle.

He also enjoyed playing cards, his favorite moment and time was preparing for the annual family reunion. Seeing his family, and all those that came or stop by brought immense joy to him and allowed him to share a story or two. Millard leaves behind, a large loving family of six sons, Danny (LeAnn) Higgins of Dolores, Steve (Cindy) Higgins of Blanding, UT, Kenneth “Kenny” (Judi) Higgins of Cortez, Doyle (Patricia) Higgins of Dolores, Darrell (Barbara) of Cortez, Duane (Debra) of Cortez; 14 grandkids, Heath, Allen, Amanda J, David, Orrin, Shilo, McKenzie, Rodney, Mickey, Karissa, Krystal, Teresa, Tonya, Tamara; 30 great-grandkids; his brothers and sister, Revis Higgins of Cortez, Colo., D. Royce Higgins of Cortez, Colo., Ervil Higgins of Lewis, Colo., Don Higgins of Bloomfield, N.M., Myrle Higgins of Peoria, Ariz., and Arvita Higgins of Albuquerque, N.M. His parents; his loving daughter-in law, LeAnn Hindmarsh-Higgins; three, grandkids Sandra Higgins, Jesse D. (JD) Higgins, John Higgins; and two brothers, Virgil Higgins, and Billy Higgins preceded him in death.