John R. Higgins, Jr.

John R. Higgins, Jr., 73 of Santa Rosa, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

John was born on February 3, 1951 in Tucumcari, NM to John Higgins, Sr. and Willa Deane (Cooper) Higgins.   John was raised on the Higgins Ranch in Cuervo, NM and graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1969.

John married the former Eva Ann Garcia on June 19, 1971 at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa.  John worked as a cowboy for various ranches throughout New Mexico and Oklahoma, and at the family ranch in Cuervo.  In 2006, John and his family moved from Cuervo to Santa Rosa.

John enjoyed riding good horses and chasing wild cows.  In his spare time, John liked to watch Westen movies, reading Western books and watching programs on The Western Channel.  However, John’s greatest joy came from the time he spent with his family and friends.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: Fred L. and Eugene B. Higgins, his nephews: Joseph and Chris Higgins, Nicholas Garcia and Cole Canon, his parents-in-law: Antonio and Anita Garcia and his in-laws: Esther Rivera and George Garcia.

John is survived by his wife: Eva, of the family home, his children: Shawn (Kelley) Higgins of Ft. Worth, TX and Anni, of Santa Rosa, his grandchildren: Sydney, Cody, Stormy and Jerry, all of Santa Rosa and Everett and Willa, of Ft. Worth, and his brother: Joe (Theresa) Higgins, of Barboursville, WV, as well as many family, relatives and friends.

A graveside service for John will be Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 10AM at Cuervo Cemetery in Cuervo, NM.

Urn Bearers will include Cody Schattschneider, Jerry Schattschneider, Rusty Higgins, Joe Higgins, Randy Huston, Jody Gurule and JD Heiman.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.   575-472-3369.  To place an online condolence or tribute, kindly visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.