Edward Dean Higgins
1933 – 2007

Edward Dean Higgins of Lompoc died Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at the age of 74.

Dean was born March 25, 1933, in Jerauld County South Dakota, to Oscar and Marie Higgins. He graduated from Lane High School in 1951. In 1953 he joined the United States Air Force. While stationed in England, he met and married his wife, the former Marie Stack. As an avionics maintenance specialist, he served in South East Asia during the Viet Nam War.

Dean retired after 23 years of military service as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1976 at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho and moved to Lompoc where he began his career as a calibration technician in the aerospace industry. He worked in the PMEL lab at Vandenberg Air Force Base until his retirement in 2004.

Dean enjoyed working on old cars and could fix anything with an engine or a motor. An avid reader, Dean was especially interested in World War II and biographies of world and military leaders of that era. He had a great sense of humor and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Dean is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marie; his daughters and their husbands, Karen and Craig Wakamiya of Goleta, and Michelle and Randy Monte of Lancaster; his grandchildren Henry Wakamiya, Holly Monte, Andrew Wakamiya, Kajsa Wakamiya, and Luke Monte; and his brother Danny Higgins of Silverdale, Washington. Dean was preceded in death by his brother Mickey Higgins.

An evening vigil will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2007, at 6:30 PM in the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary and a memorial mass will be held on Friday, November 2, 2007, at 10:00 AM at La Purisima Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

Donations may be made in memory of Dean to the American Cancer Society, 604 E. Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, CA, or La Purisima Catholic School, 219 W. Olive Avenue, Lompoc.