Douglas Eugene Higgins

Douglas Eugene Higgins, 73, of Washington, Utah, returned to his heavenly home on September 14, 2024 at home, encompassed by the love of many family and friends. Doug was born October 16, 1950 in Pocatello, Idaho to Eugene Higgins and Elaine Hill.

 Doug grew up on the family farm, raising potatoes, wheat, and sugar beets, as well as several dozen head of registered Black Angus cattle. He took over management of the farm at an early age, due to his father’s ill health. Even still, he managed to graduate on time from Snake River High School in 1969.

 Douglas served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1973 to 1975 in the countries of Uruguay and Paraguay. He loved the people he served and later served as a Spanish speaking stake missionary as well.

 After his mission, he attended Brigham Young University where he met his wife, Erma Gay Gunnell. They were married in the Logan, Utah temple on March 26, 1976. They were soon blessed with a baby daughter, Christa, in 1977. A few years later, in 1982, they were able to adopt a baby boy they named James.

 Douglas completed his engineering degree from the University of Idaho while raising his family. He was hired by the United States Naval Nuclear Facility near Idaho Falls, Idaho. He worked there for the next 33 1/3 years. In 2011, his wife, Erma Gay passed away. He retired shortly thereafter, as Principal Engineer of the facility. By this time his daughter, Christa and husband Travis, had blessed him with 5 beautiful grandchildren.

 Douglas married his wife, Alice Gae Porter, in 2013. They lived on a small homestead in Antimony, Utah. Recently, for health reasons, they moved to St. George, Utah before he passed away.

 As a country boy, Doug loved being out-of-doors. He would often go on long hikes up into the mountains where there were no trails, simply to realign with nature and to enjoy God’s creations. Along the way, he had to sample every berry, weed, or mushroom! Doug also enjoyed skiing, golfing, doing genealogy, and being surrounded by his loved ones. 

Doug is survived by his wife Alice Higgins; daughter, Christa (Travis) Sargent of Yacama, WA; son, James Higgins of Salina, UT; step-children, Anna (Ryan) Waddell of Washington Terrace, UT; Andrew (Rachel) Best of Enoch, UT; Aaron (Danielle) Best of St. George, UT; Arick (Dezaray) Best of Ogden, UT; Abby (Derek) Callor of LaVerkin, UT; Austin (Maddy) Best of Ivins, UT; as well as sixteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, his late wife Erma Gay Higgins, and sister-in-law Heidi Higgins.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Antimony LDS Chapel. 325 UT-22, Antimony, Utah. A funeral service will be held following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service and interment will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Preston City Idaho Cemetery. 1451 North 800 East, Preston, Idaho. 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah.435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Doug’s online guestbook at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com