Steven James Higley

May 19, 1957

November 18, 2025

Lt. Colonel Steven Higley, USAF (Retired), passed away unexpectedly on November 18, 2025, in Colorado Springs, CO. A beloved father and husband always happy to share a Dad joke, he enjoyed travel, cruises, and his various hobbies.

Steve was born May 19, 1957, in San Bernardino, California to James and Rita (Baichly) Higley. After elementary and secondary school in San Bernardino, he attended San Diego State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in astronomy with a desire to study asteroids. After a few years following in his father’s footsteps selling shoes, he joined the Air Force to serve as a Weather Officer. He attended Officer Training School and was commissioned in the Air Force followed by post-graduate studies at the University of Utah, earning a degree in Meteorology. After serving nine years in the Air Weather Service, he left active duty and joined the Kansas Air National Guard, later transitioning to the Colorado Air National Guard. As a civilian, he developed and installed atmospheric sensors, and he worked in the Civil Service as a Space Scientist at the Space and Missile Systems center in Colorado Springs. He was recalled to active duty several times for weather assignments in Germany, Kuwait, Kosovo, and Iraq, earning the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak leaf clusters. He retired from military service in 2011. A lifelong learner, Steve earned his master’s degree in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, fulfilling his life-long dream of studying asteroids. He later earned a degree in Horticulture at Colorado State University, applying the knowledge to his backyard garden and vineyards. He produced delicious fruit trees, vegetables and grapes.

Steve married Janet Sosalla in December 1997, and together they were raising four children. Steve is survived by his wife Janet and their four children: Jesse, Dylan, Christabelle, and Gavin; his children from two previous marriages: William “Bill” (Kim) Higley, Rhiannon “Randi” (Leo) Villaverde, and Sarah Frederick; grandchildren: Leyton and Ela Villaverde, and Estherose and Simon Frederick. He is also survived by his brother John (Kate) Higley of Hebron, Connecticut.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on December 11 at 10:00am, followed by interment at Pikes Peak National Cemetery at 1:00pm. Please arrive at the cemetery by 12:45pm.