Fred Swanton Higgins

Fred Swanton Higgins "Bud", 103, of Carson City, Nevada, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, just 17 days after he celebrated his 103rd birthday with his family. Fred was born on March 14, 1923, in Smyrna Mills, Maine, to Amber May Grant Higgins and Fred Stimpson Higgins, the last child and only male born to them along with six older sisters. Raised in Smyrna Mills, Maine, Fred attended a machinist vocational school in Dexter, Maine. He then worked for Perkins Machine and Gear Company in Springfield, Massachusetts before joining the Army in February of 1943 at the age of 20. He completed his basic training at Camp Swift in Texas and was stationed there until deployment for the final assault on Germany. He was stationed at Camp Lucky Strike in St. Valery, France, and he served with Battery "B" of the 365th Field Artillery Battalion, 97th Infantry Division under Brig. Gen. Milton B. Halsey in a Forward Observation Party as a technician fifth grade, Field Lineman. His division was sent to the front lines for 10 days in Germany and then were moved to protect the left flank of General George S. Patton's Third United States Army and fired open rounds in the battle of Czechoslovakia. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star awarded to the 97th Division of the battle of the Ruhr pocket in Germany.

On September 1, 1945, Fred's division was redeployed to the Pacific, sailing on the USS Grundy, and arriving at Cebu, Philippine Islands, and then on to Japan for occupation duty.

In addition to the Bronze Star, Fred also received the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, and Victory Medal. He was Honorably Discharged in February 1946.

After serving in the war, Fred eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California, where he opened up a small diner for a short stint and then worked as a cook at the Santa Cruz Hotel. He soon met his wife of 64 years Marie Martello, and together they raised three children. He worked for Lone Star Industries as a head chemist, retiring after 35 years, missing only 2 days from work during those years. Soon after his retirement, Fred and Marie moved to Sonora, California and also purchased a vacation cabin at a lake in Maine, fixing it up and later selling it. In 1992, the couple moved to Carson City, Nevada to be closer to family.

The years of Fred's life were filled with joy of traveling across the United States with his wife Marie, visiting relatives and seeing all the beautiful land and sites; camping and fishing with family and friends; working on many projects in his garage and watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren grow, always quick to giving them advice sprinkled with humor.

We will miss the love he had for his family, his sense of humor, and how he was always there to provide whatever he could for us all.

Fred is survived by his three children, Christine Higgins of Carson City, Nevada; Marilyn Mariolo (Steve) of Carson City, Nevada; Sid Higgins (Jolie) of Dayton, Nevada; his five grandchildren, Kyle Mariolo (Jen); Justin Whitehead (Jamie); Jolene Canales (Tony); Shane Higgins (Amy); Nicholas Higgins; and his five great grandchildren, Justin Whitehead; Lilian Mariolo; Navaeh and Andy Canales; and Rylee Higgins. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Fred is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marie, in 2013.

A Graveside service with military honors to celebrate Fred's life will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Lone Mountain Cemetery, located at 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, Nevada.