HIGGINS, HUGH B.

It is with sadness that the children of Hugh B. (Barney) Higgins announce his death on Tuesday, July 12 [2005] in Abuja, Nigeria. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Higgins, his brother Johnny, his wife Martha Donnell Higgins, and his oldest daughter, Kelly. Survived by his daughters Molly Knuffke, Katey Micheletti, Maggy Coleman and husband Rick, Patti Andriessen and husband Ken, son Michael and wife Sherrie, and 11 grandchildren. Barney was born on August 5, 1923 in San Antonio and graduated from Central Catholic High School. He attended the University of Texas in Austin where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. In January 1942, he enlisted in the Marines and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion seeing combat at Midway, Makin Island, and Guadalcanal. Barney later fought on Iwo Jima and earned a battlefield commission to 2nd Lieutenant. After the war, Barney returned to San Antonio where he married Martha Donnell on August 13, 1946. He graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1948. Barney was the sales manager at KENS-TV San Antonio in its inaugural days and then became Sales Director for Pearl Brewery. He was the Advanced Ticket Sales Manager for Hemisfair 68 and later became a top salesman for Rollins Outdoor Advertising in San Antonio and Austin until he retired. Barney remained a lifetime member of the San Antonio Livestock and Rodeo Association. In his later years, Barney took up hiking, cross country skiing, bird watching, and volunteering for the National Park Service in Wyoming and Montana. He joined son Michael in Manila in 1995, became a favorite on the Foreign Embassy circuit, and enjoyed a safari in Kenya in 2003. Barney always maintained his positive outlook, a distinctive sense of humor, and an undying love for the Fighting Irish and UT Longhorns. He also had a deep passion for the cowboy stories of Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour and the music of Marty Robbins and Frankie Lane. Barney had a knack for truly making any house a home, a talent for landscaping, and a love of cooking and entertaining. Most of all, his children knew he loved them. His daughters wish to acknowledge their brother’s kindness and selfless devotion to Barney, especially after he was diagnosed with cancer. Michael said it was an honor to care for his Dad and he did so with such compassion that it brought comfort to all. Barney’s ashes will be inurned in the Columbarium of Arlington National Cemetery following a military service with honors in August. For those desiring, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Habitat for Humanity. ‘Come and sit by my side, little darling. Do not hasten to bid me adieu’. . . Adios, amigo-you are loved and will be missed!

Historian’s note: Mr. Higgins did not participate in the Makin Island raid.