Michael James "Mickey" Higgins
Oct 19, 1931 - Dec 25, 2014
Posted by: Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Michael (Mickey)  James Higgins, age 83 of Norman was born on Oct. 19, 1931 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey being the oldest of three sons born to Michael Henry and Irene Higgins. He was baptized on Jan. 24, 1932 in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Perth Amboy and later lived in Woodbridge New Jersey for a time. On October 23, 1948 he enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey for Basic Training, then to an assignment center at Johnson Field in Louisiana where he was assigned to Fort Gulick in the Panama Canal Zone. He was later sent to Howard Field, Fort Johnson-New Orleans, and Fairchild Airbase-Spokane, Washington. By then it was announced that North Korea had attacked South Korea. Then he was sent to a base in California and was attached to the Army-Air Force. At this time it was announced that everyone in this unit were going to Japan. They were transported on C47’s first to Hawaii and then to Johnson Island, and then to Guam for refueling finally arriving in Tokyo, Japan at Yokota Air Base. He was later sent to Fairchild Air Base for a couple of years. Then next to MacDill Air Base in Tampa, Florida. In Orlando his unit helped to reopen a base for the Air Force. He was then reassigned to the medics. Then to Fort Bragg in rank of Staff Sargent. This is where he met his wife Corelean. He was discharged at Fort Bragg in 1954. Mickey was united in marriage on August 16, 1954 at Las Cruces, New Mexico to the love of his life, Corelean Ewing. They lived in Woodbridge, New Jersey for a short time, and then moved to Orlando, Florida where their daughter Janice (Jan) was born in 1955. Later moving to Okmulgee, Oklahoma where their son Michael (Mike) was born in 1958. He attended the OSU Extension in Okmulgee and afterwards moved to Norman. Mickey was employed at Tinker Air Force base for many years until his retirement in the mid 1980’s. In retirement he enjoyed reading and was interested in the history of coins. He also enjoyed spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Irene; Father and mother-in-law Ray and Sallie Ewing; a brother George Leslie Higgins in 1940, his daughter Janice Blunck in 2008, a sister-in-law Marine Ewing; and a niece Raelean Isbill.

He is survived by his wife, Corelean; his son Mike; his son-in-law Time Blunck, grandchildren Theron Christopher Blunck and Michael Andrew Blunck all of Norman, a brother Ronald and wife Carol of Hampstead, Maryland; a niece Karen Fisher and husband George and their son Jason of New Jersey; a nephew Michael Higgins; a brother Kenneth LaPenta of Boonton, New Jersey; a brother-in-law Douglas Ewing and wife Claudene  of Wayne, nieces Joyce Mooi, Wayne; Wanda and husband Kenneth Newkirk, Norman, and many other loving relatives.

Graveside services and burial will be Tuesday Dec. 30, 2014 at 1p.m. at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City.

Thank You For Your Service!