Gene or “Higgy” as he was known passed away on Saturday March 14, 2015 in Ojai, Ca. due to a long illness. Gene was born on March 24, 1937 in Satanta, Kansas to parents Claude and Fannie Pearl Higginbotham. In his early childhood, Gene’s family lived in Kansas until WWII. During the war they moved frequently and lived in several different states. His father was employed by the U.S. Govt. during WWII and the family moved from military base to military base as they were built and enlarged. After the war, on the advice of Claude’s aunt, the family moved to Ojai in 1946. Gene loved growing up in Ojai. He graduated from Nordhoff High School in 1955. While still in high school, Gene joined the U.S Marine Corps Reserves and also started working for the U.S. Forest Service. He met his wife, Barbara, at Wheelers Gorge where she was camping with her grandmother and he was working at the campground. Gene and Barbara were married June 16, 1957 at Santa Clara Church in Oxnard. For the first years of their marriage they lived on Pine Mountain during the summer and Ojai in the winter. They then lived in Upper Ojai where Gene was the Forest Patrolman. Gene and Barbara welcomed their first of three sons, Michael in 1958, then Terry in 1961 and Daniel in 1964. The family enjoyed many camping and backpacking trips, trips to Baja and summer vacations waterskiing at Tulloch Lake and San Antonio Lake with other firemen families.
August 16, 1962 Gene started his 30 year career with the Ventura County Fire Department. He was stationed at Station 14 in Upper Ojai, Station 22 in Meiners Oaks, Station 56 in Malibu, Station 51 in El Rio then Station 23 in Oak View where he spent the majority of his career. He later transferred back to Station 14, now called Station 20, and retired from there in 1992 with 7 years with the Forest Service and 30 years with the Ventura County Fire Department.
After retirement, Gene and Barbara travelled extensively. They enjoyed taking many cruises and trips with friends. Gene was proud to say he had been to 41 countries. Gene was a member of the Ojai Lions Club, Ojai Optimists and the Knights of Columbus. He did volunteer work for Ojai Day, Ojai Music Festival, The Ojai Tennis Tournament and the Fourth of July where he loved to do security for the fireworks. Gene was also a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
Gene was an outgoing, friendly character who talked to everyone and loved to joke and laugh. He was a loving husband, father, brother and friend who was much loved and will be greatly missed.
Gene is survived by his wife of 57 years Barbara, his son Michael of Bakersfield, son Terry of Colorado and son Daniel (Valerie) of Ojai. He is also survived by his sister Virginia Black of Turlock, brother Don Appleton of Texas and sister Katherine McLaurine of Oklahoma.
The family would like to thank Nicki Perez, her family and the staff of Mountain Vista Manor for their excellent care, kindness, friendship and support.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday March 24, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Ojai. Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society of Ventura County 402 Bryant Street Ojai Ca.