Longtime Abilene Resident Russel Eugene Higgins Passes Away at 88

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Russel Eugene Higgins, an 88-year-old resident of Abilene, Texas, passed away on March 31, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Higgins was born in North Carolina and served in the U.S. Air Force for 31 years, including during the Vietnam War, before retiring as a Command Chief. After his military service, Higgins remained active in his local community, including through his longtime membership at First Methodist Church of Abilene and involvement with Disability Resources Inc. and Special Olympics.

Why it matters

Higgins' life exemplified the values of service, faith, and community engagement that are important to many residents of Abilene and the surrounding region. His passing marks the end of an era for a man who dedicated himself to his country, his family, and his local community over the course of his long life.

The details

Higgins was born on August 1, 1937, in Higgins Township, North Carolina, to Edd Carter Higgins and Mary Jane Duncan Higgins. He grew up working on his father's tobacco farm in the Smoky Mountains near Burnsville, North Carolina, before joining the Air Force in 1958. After retiring from the military, Higgins continued to live a life grounded in faith and community involvement in Abilene, where he had been a member of First Methodist Church since 1977. He was also an avid golfer, bird hunter, and dog trainer, and was highly involved with local organizations like Disability Resources Inc. and Special Olympics.

• Russel Eugene Higgins passed away on March 31, 2026.
• Higgins was born on August 1, 1937.
• Higgins married Amy von der Hoff on July 19, 1958.
• Higgins joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958.
• Higgins became a member of First Methodist Church of Abilene in 1977.

What’s next

Russel Eugene Higgins will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Higgins Cemetery in Burnsville, North Carolina on Thursday, April 16th, 2026.