Victor Stanley Higgins, our loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the home of his grandson, Brandon Young, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Victor was 102 years old and he passed in the presence of his loving family.

He is survived by his two daughters, Linda Young of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Vicki and husband Gary Ray of Union, Oregon. Victor also leaves behind three grandsons, a granddaughter, and their families: Brooke Young and his wife Katie of Wilmington, North Carolina; Brandon Young and his wife Nicole of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Bryna Ray of Boise, Idaho; and Jared Ray and his wife Emily of Castle Rock, Colorado. Additionally, he is survived by four great-grandchildren: Theodore and Sloan Young of Cheyenne, and Alden and Elaina Ray of Castle Rock.

Victor was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 59 years, Evelyn (Harris), who passed away in 2005 while they lived among the beautiful redwoods of McKinleyville, California. He also outlived his siblings: Norman W. Higgins and his wife Peggy of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Gladys and her husband Clarence Yarnell of Hunters, Washington; and Ruby and her husband Dick Couden of Maine.

Born on February 17, 1924, in Omak, Washington, Victor spent his early years in various places in and around the Seattle, Washington area. His parents were Arthur and Nora (Nelson) Higgins. Victor told us that he did his homework by kerosene lamp due to a lack of electricity. Victor recounted a tale where the townspeople misinterpreted his father’s frustration with baby goats jumping on the barn roof and ravaging their home garden. The rumor around town was that " Art Higgins had killed his kids!" Obviously, it was a silly rumor! Victor attended Lincoln High School in the Seattle area and stayed in touch with old high school and elementary school classmates way into his nineties, via class reunions, letters, emails, and phone calls.

At 18, Victor joined the US Navy, serving from January 6, 1943, to February 14, 1946. He trained in Farragut, Idaho, attended Navy school in Chicago, and became an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class. Stationed on San Clemente Island during WWII, he maintained aircraft and once had to be flown to the mainland for an emergency appendectomy. Victor loved the times, while off-duty, when he and a few buddies would catch lobster off the island to supplement their mess hall meals. It's during this time that Victor met Evelyn, his future wife, on a blind date arranged by a close Navy friend.

After the war, Victor and Evelyn settled in La Crescenta, California, while working as an excellent finish carpenter at Lounsberry & Harris Lumber Company in Glendale, California. Later on, while working as a carpenter for the City of Glendale Street Department, he took night classes to qualify as a building inspector. By the time he retired he had become the chief senior building inspector for the City of Glendale and served as president of the Glendale Employees Association for a few years.

An avid bowler, earning a few trophies, Victor also found joy in camping and fishing with his family, mostly around Mammoth Lakes, California. Nearing retirement he embraced golf and excelled as an amateur golfer well into his later years. Together with Evelyn, they enjoyed square dancing with the La Crescenta Foothillbillies, fostering lifelong friendships through square dancing, more trailer camping and travelling. Victor was always a skilled artist, but after retiring and moving to McKinleyville in northern California he discovered his passion for oil painting. He painted cozy landscapes and wildlife, and usually included small animals in his landscapes.

Ten years following Evelyn's passing, he found companionship again at age 91, marrying Audrey Allen of Eureka, California. They shared a brief time of happiness together, until declining health and aging led him to move to Cheyenne to be closer to his family. Victor lived with Brandon Young, his loving grandson and caregiver for the last five years, and Brandon's family in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Victor's great grandchildren will always have the cherished memories of being held in their great grandfather's loving arms.