Dr. Francis “Mike” Higgins

91-year-old Texan Francis Clayton Higgins, Jr., better known as Mike, Doc, Doctor Higgins, honey, daddy, and granddaddy, was born on January 20, 1927, and went home to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, April 19, 2018. 

Dad grew up in Amarillo. He attended his mother’s school (The Little Red Schoolhouse) for kindergarten and 1st grade. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy. He was stationed in San Diego for his basic training and then was sent to New Orleans for two years as a Navy medic.  After his graduation from SMU he returned to Amarillo and worked at 42 different jobs (this is his story…doubt there were that many, but probably felt like there were) before applying to dental school (which required taking several science classes at Amarillo Jr. college). 

In 1957, while Mike was at Baylor Dental school a mutual friend introduced him to his future bride to be, Marilyn Stone when she was attending SMU. They began dating and married in 1959. Their dating was limited because of their studies, and Marilyn was back in Beaumont and she was flying for American Airlines. Mom and dad married on August 15, 1959. They moved to Lubbock after he graduated and took the state dental board in 1959. Their first daughter Heidi was born in Lubbock, in 1962. They enjoyed living in Lubbock and made some wonderful lifelong friends. In December 1963 they moved back to Beaumont and dad opened his dental practice. One of his most important events was being accepted to Dental school and getting an $11,000 loan from the bank to open his own dental office. In 1965 their second daughter was born, Lysle (as in “dial”…as it was written on his business card). 

According to his 1969 Amarillo High School reunion book, some of his highlight achievements were: earning BBA degree from SMU, a DDS degree from Baylor Dental, a loving wife, two blonde, blue eyed daughters, and a 5 handicap on the golf course. We would all say that his all-time favorites were his 6 grandchildren, Austin, Sterling, Hunter, Hartman, Duncan, and London. They were his pride and joy!!! He absolutely loved and adored them! 

God has whistled for you that it was time to come home just like you whistled for us as kids. It’s comforting to know that you are now in the arms of Jesus, you’re swinging your club and making a hole in one, shooting and bagging your limit and casting and catching reds and specks…regardless of the weather or the direction of the smoke at the plant. You were a man of integrity with a heart of gold and you would’ve given the shirt off your back to anyone. 

We would like to thank Pete for being there every day to care for dad. Pete, thank you so much for being kind, patient, caring, loving and most of all a friend to him. He truly loved you!! You are like family to us!! 

Margaret, thank you for sharing all of your Amarillo stories with dad. He loved reminiscing about all the old stomping grounds in Amarillo and talking about all of your mutual friends. 

He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Marilyn Stone Higgins; daughters, Heidi Evans and her husband, Carothers (Car) and Lysle Holmes and her fiancé, Mickey Phelan III; grandchildren, Austin Evans, Hunter Evans, Duncan Evans, Sterling Holmes and her fiancé, Ty Tamlyn, Hartman Holmes, and London Holmes, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Dan Higgins, Margaret Jane Upshaw and Pat Higgins.

We’re sure going to miss you!!  Your kind loving heart will remain with us always and we’ll never grow tired of your sayings and one liners. 

We love you and we’ll see you later!!

A gathering of Dr. Higgins’ family and friends begin at 9:00 a.m. with his memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 11, 2018, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A lunch reception will follow the service at Broussard’s Event Centré, 1775 Calder Avenue, Beaumont. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Broussard’s Crematorium.

Memorial contributions may be made to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 0834, Beaumont, Texas 77704; The Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704; or to an Organization of One’s Choice.