Clifton Dale Higgins Obituary (1930 - 2017)

Clifton Dale Higgins returned to his Heavenly home on September 18, 2017. He was at home with his beloved wife, where he passed away from natural causes. He was born January 12, 1930 in Helper, Utah to Clifford Russell Higgins and Orilla Jones Higgins. He was the 3rd child in the family. When he was 2 the family moved to Salt Lake County. When he was 12 he moved to Granite, Utah. When he turned 20 he served for 2 years in the east Central Mission for the LDS church. 59 days after his mission release he reported for military duty. He served for 2 years as a front line office clerk, in the Korean war, in the 40th infantry division. 3 days after he arrived home from the war he proposed to Dorienne Despain, who he had been courting by mail for 2 years. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 1st, 1954. They built their own home in Granite where he continued to add on as the family grew. They remained there for 58 years and raised 5 children; Jan Schow (Bruce), Cory Dee Higgins (Ruth), Ronda Campbell (Scott), Trent Jay Higgins (LeAnn) and Kayleen Berensen (Scott). The last 5 years they moved to South Jordan where they were surrounded by their children and grandchildren, and most especially great grandchildren. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary on September 1st, 2017. He was a self-employed accountant, for 35 years. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which gave him many opportunities for service. He and his wife served in the baptistry of 3 different temples over a period of 26 years. After retirement he and Dorienne served 2 full time missions. One in Adam-Ondi-Ahman, and the other in the mission office at Rochester, New York. Then they served a service mission at the Utah State Prison. Clifton was affectionately known by some of his great grandchildren as Grandpa Trains because of his love for HO gauge trains. He had an amazing train table with 4 separate trains which he loved to share with anyone who would take interest. In his later years he started building model homes, and landmarks which he would place on his train table. His largest project was the London Bridge which he built in 2013. It contained about 4375 match stick cut into about 14,300 pieces. He is survived by his wife, 5 children and their spouses, and 23 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren. He has been preceded in death by his parents, and his Sister Phyllis Jackson (Ellis) and brother Jack R. Higgins (Jean). He was always happy and friendly to anyone he saw. His smile and eyes were memorable to many, twinkling when he saw you. He loved to talk and meet people. No one was a stranger to him, he loved everyone. He was especially fond of little children. Being a small man in stature, he was a gentle giant to those who know him. We will miss you! Funeral Services will be held Saturday September 23rd at 11:00 am at River Ridge 8th Ward located at 1409 W. Shields Lane ((9800 S0). Viewings will be held in the same location on Friday September 22nd from 6-8:00 pm and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 prior to the service. Interment at Granite Cemetery.