Dan Higgins, a skilled mechanic who was a part of Jerry “The King” Ruth drag racing team for many successful years, passed away at a Ballard nursing home on March 17. He was 72.
Born on Aug. 12, 1940 in Yakima, Higgins attended school in Yakima and Kent, and graduated from Oak Harbor High School. He lived in Kent, raised a family and worked in the valley as a top-flight mechanic and machinist.
According to Ruth, “Daniel was a feisty, talented man. … He had many skills. He was a gifted finish carpenter, made fiberglass and carbon fiber molds and parts.”
With his older brother David, Higgins joined Ruth’s crew in the early ′60s and went on to drive Top Fuel dragsters at local events, having his day in the sun driving the famed Green Dragon race car out of Seattle and then the Pegasus machine.
Photography and gardening were among his hobbies.
“Daniel had a zest for life that is gone too soon,” Ruth said.
He is survived by his older brother, David; three children, Gina Schwab, Gene Higgins, Rene Higgins; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A celebration of Higgins’ life will be held in early spring when the drag racing season is in full swing.
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