Maj. Thomas Higdon

Send Flowers Maj. Thomas Nathaniel Higdon September 5, 1938 - April 25, 2017 Major (USAF/Ret) Thomas Nathaniel Higdon, born 5 September 1938; passed away April 25, 2017 after a long illness. Tom is survived by his wife, of 44 years, Patricia (Trish) Keefer-Higdon; daughter and son-in-law, Irene and Tim Bentley (Mechanicsville, MD); Grandson, Donald Unkle (Prince Frederick, MD); sisters, Beverly Moore (Franklin, NC) and Julia Green (Burlington, NC); brother, Alfred Higdon (Roswell, GA) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Ann Higdon and his brother, John Crawford. Maj. Higdon was a highly decorated career United States Air Force Communications Electronics Officer receiving the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Meritorious Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and Air Force Commendation Medal. Even after retirement, he was recognized as the Contractor of the Quarter. He had 22 years' experience in support of communications and electronics operation and systems acquisition. Duty stations included assignments in Italy, California, Texas, Spain, Mississippi, The Pentagon, Andrews Air Force Base, liaison officer for the FAA in Washington DC. In 1971, Tom served as Communications Operations Officer at the 2054th Comm Squadron in DaNang, Vietnam. Major Higdon received an MBA from California State College, Dominguez Hills, CA; and BS in Mathematics and BS in Fine Arts from Western Carolina College Cullowhee, NC; and Air Force schooling in Communications Security, Systems Acquisitions, Ballistic Missile and Satellite Control Facility. Tom and Trish are members of St. Andrews Episcopal Church where Tom served on the Vestry from 2009 to 2012. Tom is a third degree member of Masonic Aztec Lodge #1 and Order of the Eastern Star, Las Cruces Chapter #20 and Renick Chapter #37. Tom and Trish met while he was stationed at the Pentagon in 1973. As they would tell you, love from the word Hello. Their license plate said it all TnT; a dynamite relationship. He enjoyed Square dancing, where they belong to clubs in Maryland & New Mexico. They loved to travel and entertain in their house. They retired to Las Cruces, NM, in December, 2005. Although a military warrior, Tom Higdon epitomized an honorable officer and a gentle, gentle man. He was an even an accomplished artist who also designed logos for the Air Force. A viewing is scheduled for Sunday, April 30, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Eastern Star ceremony, at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman, Las Cruces, NM. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, May 1, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with fully military honors. He will be forever missed by his wife and family and frien ds .