Carlos W. Higgins

Carlos was a fighter/bomber/reconnaissance pilot, lawyer, advocate, and deeply committed to making a difference in his community and his country. He was beloved by his family and community, leaving an indelible mark on those who remain.

He was born on February 1, 1935 in Killarney, WV; a small coal mining town that no longer exists. He was third born out of 7 children. He related stories of his childhood with fondness, saying they didn’t have much but they had what they needed.

He enlisted in the US Air Force in March 1954, was accepted to Aviation Cadet Training and completed preflight training and initial pilot training from Lackland AFB and Hondo AFB, respectively. He then graduated from basic military training at Reese AFB. He received his Commission with a pilot rating in 1954, was a Vietnam Veteran who flew 259 combat missions, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1974 at 39 years old.

During his military career, Carlos flew missions in the F-111 Aardvark, RF-101 Voodoo, T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird), B-47 Stratojet, B-25 Mitchell, and also flew the B-66 Destroyer, T-6 Texan, and the Piper PA-18 Super Cub. He was stationed at Reese AFB, Texas; Chennault AFB, Louisiana; Holloman AFB, New Mexico; Omaha, Nebraska; Shaw AFB, South Carolina; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; Nellis AFB, Nevada; Chambley AFB, France; Laon AFB, France; RAF Sculthorpe, Norfolk, England; Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England; Vietnam; and Thailand.

Carlos completed missions during the Cold War era and in the Vietnam War. His Military awards and decorations include: Air and Space Longevity Service Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Readiness Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with 17 Oak Leaf Clusters.

After retiring from the USAF, he continued serving his community, state, and nation. At 40, he graduated law school from University of Texas. After running his own private law practice, he moved on to the Texas Railroad Commission where he was a hearings examiner for gas utility rates and quickly became Director of the Gas Utilities Division. He worked with the Railroad Commission for 12 years. Carlos was also active in the community, president of the Round Rock School Board, president of other non-profit local entities, served as Texas VFW legal counsel, and spent over a decade as an advocate for senior issues, making recommendations through his various roles on the Texas Silver Haired Legislator and the National Silver Haired Congress. During his senior advocacy years, he contributed efforts to launch the Silver Alert System nationally as well as in Texas.

Carlos met his life partner, Katherine, while he was stationed near Lubbock, TX, and they married in 1955. They were happily married for 69 years. Together, they navigated military life while raising 3 children. They eventually became avid travelers, visiting countless countries on almost all the world’s continents. When asked for favorite places, Carlos stated that he enjoyed all of his adventures but he had a special attachment to Alaska and its stunning landscapes and plentiful wildlife. He dearly loved fishing in Alaska for salmon. Carlos and Katherine also maintained their connections to other pilots and would organize and attend USAF reunions yearly.

Any proper remembrance of Carlos would be remiss if it did not mention his love of golf. In his adult years, he became an avid golfer, visiting courses throughout the world. On 7 occasions, he achieved a hole-in-one and was quite proud of each of them. He golfed long after his 89th birthday and was happy to score less than his age.

Carlos had a well-tuned sense of humor and loved to laugh. He always said that he lived a good, long life and that he couldn’t ask for anything more.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Voyne Hill Higgins and Dual Parent Higgins, and his siblings: Donald Higgins, Doris Higgins Kessinger, Janis Higgins Grose, and Owen Shannon Higgins.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Katherine Higgins, 90; his three children: Marta (John) Wilson, Kay (Steve) Germiat, and Scott (Lynnae) Higgins; his six grandchildren: Sara (Ryan) Baer, Charles (Sarah) Higgins, Kayla (Kit) Wilson, Katherine (Nikolaus) Higgins, Hannah Germiat, and Emily Germiat; and two great grandchildren: Anson and Gemma Baer. He is also survived by his brothers David (Norma) Higgins and Gerald (Kathy) Higgins.

His internment is taking place on Feb 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542. The family requests no flowers.

Donations can be made in Carlos’ honor to veterans or senior assistance organizations.