Royce Higgins, 73 of Miles City
Royce Lyle Higgins, age 73 of Miles City, passed away Tuesday, July 9th at home with family by his side. Royce was born in Forsyth, MT, to parents Lentina, “Tiny”, and Albert Higgins. He always carried on his parents’ joke that he was found in a garbage can.
Royce graduated from Custer County District High School in 1958 and looked forward to his class reunions. He couldn’t wait to swap stories and laughs with his classmates.
Royce and Judy were married on August 8th, 1959 in Miles City and shared 53 joyful years of life and memories together, including the birth of their two children, Charlene and Bryan Higgins.
Throughout his life, Royce served in the National Guard for eight years and held many jobs to provide for his family. While residing in California for five years, he worked for Autonetics and then later for the City of Orange. In Miles City, he was employed at Herb’s Superette, Reynolds Grocery, Milwaukee Railroad, M&H Gas, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, which at the time was owned by his father-in-law Harold Weimer, and then retired from UPS. Aside from work, he also was a “Jack-of-all-trades” at home fixing anything that needed fixing and creating wooden crafts for his family to paint.
Royce was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and an endeared friend. He especially enjoyed spending time with his great-granddaughter, Grace. There wasn’t a place Royce went that you didn’t have a hard time getting him out of because he ran into someone he knew and had to visit with. He loved spending time with his family playing games and Nintendo, pulling pranks, going on family vacations, snacking, and shopping for shoes. Aside from being known as “Grandpa Garfield”, he later earned the nickname “M.O.M. with P.M.S”, which stood for man on a mission to purchase more shoes. Royce also looked forward to hunting season which all the family enjoyed, making it a family affair cutting up deer meat, packaging it, and making jerky. Royce loved visiting and sharing stories while bowling, golfing, playing pool and bingo with his friends and family. He taught his granddaughter Breanna his tricks to bowling and golfing, which became fond memories. None of his friends knew what to expect with his goofy humor, whether he would show up in his favorite fluorescent orange outfit, his ponytail baseball cap or Goofy hat, or even dressed as Dolly Parton.
Royce has left many cherished memories in the hearts of all his family and friends and will be dearly missed, but we’re sure he is home with the Lord enjoying talking His ear off.
Royce is survived by his wife Judy, daughter Charlene, granddaughter Breanna, and great-granddaughter Grace, all of Miles City; and also his sister Marilyn Sullivan of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, and brother Allen Griggs of Hackensack, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents Lentina and Albert and his son Bryan.
Royce was grateful for Miles City Parkinson’s Support Group and in lieu of flowers, we feel he would like donations to be made to the Parkinson’s Research Center of Spokane, 910 W 5th Ave., Suite 256 Spokane, WA 99204. Phone: (509) 473-2490. Email: center@spokaneparkinsons.org, or to Grace Bible Church, 3505 Stower St Miles City, MT 59301, 406) 232-5787, where he attended.
Condolences for the family may be left at: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Per Royce’s request there will be a private family service.
Jack and Caroline says
Judy, Chuckie, Breanna, Gracie and family,
Our thoughts are with you and our prayers are with you in this loss of a wonderful man.
Royce always reminded me of the energizer bunny – he took his lickings and kept on ticking. Trying to slow Royce down had to have been a huge challenge for you but he LIVED LIFE to the end always with a smile. Praying that God’s grace is showered on you to comfort you.
Dannette Cremer says
Judy & family;
My prayers are with you and your family. May you cherish all the memories you had with Royce. I enjoyed seeing him at the bowling alley and with you at the grocery store – he just kept going…
God Bless.
Tanna Aye says
Judy and family,
My sympathy to you for your loss. Royce was always so friendly and I always enjoyed visiting with him and catching up on family. I will keep you in my prayers.
Tanna Aye
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Judy and family,
Our prayers are with you and your family now and in the difficult days ahead. Royce was such a nice man and I have many fond memories of you guys stopping in at Munchies.. You did a wonderful job of taking care of him. Hold close your memories.
Bonnie Bergerson says
Judy,,
Please know I am thinking of you and share your grief. Life has a way of giving us some real challenges, we do the best we can, and never give up. That was Royce.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Bonnie
Kristy, Lizzy and Luke says
Judy and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during your time of loss. Royce was a wonderful person and I am so blessed to have been his neighbor. Please let me know if I can do anything to help.
Prayers
Kristy, Lizzy and Luke
Barb Shields says
Judy
Royce will be truly missed, we really enjoyed having him on our senior bowling league.
Prayers are with you and your family.
Barb Shields
Chad Irion says
So sorry for your loss Judy. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Connie Capra says
Judy, So sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayer to you all.
Bruce and Amy Ballentine says
Judy, we are so sorry for your loss of Royce. When we would come to Miles City to visit the folks, Royce was one of the first people would be the first to visit with us. You and Royce are special.
Eileen & Vern Entzel says
Last night at the Shakespeare in the Parks, I thought of the many times that we sat together. Judy and Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Royce always had a story and a big smile. Prayers are with you and your family.
Kelly Dodge Tarr says
Dear family,
He was loved. My family got to know him and love to visit with him when he would stop by when he was working with UPS. My mother and I always had a menagerie of all kinds of critters, and he was one of the guys( Tom G. was the other) that had to see what was new! Royce was such a joy, even with his diagnosis he upbeat with that giggle, smile. My prayers are all with you all.
Deb (Moths) Schmeling says
Dear Higgins Family,
Royce was a great person. He was always smiling. May God wrap his comforting arms around each one of you. You are in my prayers and thoughts.
Jackie O'Reilly says
Judy, Chuckie & Breanna –
I was so sad to hear of your loss…there are no words. Royce was always so fun and I have so many great memories of him and the old neighborhood growing up. He will be missed! I’m sure he & Dad are talking each others ears off right now!!
Love and prayers to you!
Cherie LeBlanc says
Royce was a genuine man he sure did love to visit. Judy I know your faith will get you through it will take time. May God bless you Chuckie, Breanne and baby Grace always.
ROB AND SANDY ROGGE says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family .
Keli Anderson says
I am so sorry to hear of Royce’s passing. I will always cherish the fun memories that I have of him at the bowling alley. 🙂 He always had a huge smile on his face and a warm welcome! Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Miles and Beth Ann Milligan says
For Royce’s Harem:
What a wonderful person Royce was. The twinkle in his eye reached out and drew you in. Then the visit… he was great with comments out of the blue that had you in stitches. He loved people, it was so evident . No one was a stranger to Royce… But, you can never be prepared for the day God calls for him. He is needed in Heaven and that is where he is watching over “his Harem” and friends now. You all are in our hearts and prayers. Remember, you are loved by a special husband/father/grandfather/great grandfather who is watching over you!
jennifer scala says
Judy and family,
Sorry to hear about Royce. I haven’t seen any of you for some time, but a few years ago I was in a bowling tournament and Royce was there. We had such a nice visit and caught up on family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Please give my love to your sisters.
Judy Litchfield says
I am so sorry for your loss. Royce was such a ball of energy. He always seemed to be able to keep track of all his friends. Was glad to have been able to see and visit with you all the last time I was in Miles for the all 50’s reunion. He will be missed by all. Love and prayers.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Royce Lyle Higgins – I am sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in many beautiful memories of Mr. Higgins at this difficult time. The Bible gives us hope that soon the Creator will end all suffering, pain, and death. (Revelation 21:4) Also we have the hope of being with our loved ones when they are resurrected (John 5:28-29). The promise of Paradise, the perfect conditions God intended for mankind in the Garden of Eden will be fulfilled (Ps. 37:11) including God’s “will being done as in Heaven also up on Earth “(Matt 6:9, 10). We have the opportunity to be further comforted by promises in the Bible. (John 17:3).
Jeannette Larsen says
Judy, I am so sorry for the loss of your best friend, Royce.