Allen Higgins

February 4, 1945 – February 8, 2018

Time eternal began with a new breath in Heaven for our brother Allen Higgins who passed away Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 surrounded by family.

Allen, who just turned 73 on Feb. 4, was born to Laura and Jimmy Evans in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada. After the untimely death of his parents when he was 12, June and Harry Higgins opened their hearts and home to Allen and his sister Wendy. Already having four children did not deter June and Harry from formally adopting the two.

Allen, better known as “Big Al” to family, was a quiet, private, kind, pensive soul. He had a fondness for reading and consequently spent hours daily at the library. He also loved putting together model airplanes, which took an immense amount of patience. Al participated in sports as a youngster. Hockey and baseball were two of his favorites. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all kinds of sporting events.

As a teenager, Allen dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot but less-than-perfect vision prevented him from achieving that goal. Nevertheless, aviation remained at the forefront of his mind and after graduating high school he set out to be an aircraft and avionics mechanic. He obtained his private pilot license as well as a license to pilot hot-air balloons. Allen loved anything that allowed him to soar above the clouds.

Allen had a soft spot for animals and over the years took in both a stray cat and dog and most recently rescued another cat. As a youth, he enjoyed tending the livestock and horses on the family farm.

Although Allen never became a citizen of the United States he proudly served in the U.S. Navy for six years and was stationed in Vietnam and Japan. He returned to Moses Lake after his stint in the Navy. Allen was a wizard with his hands and could fix almost anything. He helped with the construction of both the Higgins family home in Moses Lake and the family cabin in Troy, Montana.

Allen always looked forward to family events. He particularly enjoyed his nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews who always brought a smile to his face.

Allen, a confirmed bachelor, became smitten with Rita Tipton while working at the Moses Lake Senior Opportunity and Services Center. His pursuit was reciprocated by Rita and they were soon engaged. Unfortunately, Rita became ill and passed away in the summer of 2015. Allen was left with a broken heart.

Due to health issues, Allen decided it was best to move into assisted living at Brookdale Hearthstone in 2016. The family would like to thank the staff at the Hearthstone for taking wonderful care of Al. We also want to extend our thanks to the entire ICU staff at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee and our special thank-you to Chaplain Scott Langager and Rev. Jim Caulkins who led us in prayer and comforted us during Allen’s last hours.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents Laura and Jimmy Evans and June and Harry Higgins. He leaves behind his sisters Harriet West (Don), Gail Garcelon, Wendy Higgins (Kevin Haynes), Karen West (Steve) and brother Brian Higgins. He also leaves behind seven nephews, six nieces, eight grandnieces, 12 grandnephews and many cousins.

The family will have a private memorial service for Allen in Troy, Mont. His ashes will be scattered over the Kootenai River where he loved to fly fish.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com.

Contributions in memory of Allen can be made to Moses Lake Senior Opportunity & Services at 608 E. Third, Moses Lake, WA 98837.

We miss you, Allen.