Gene Higdon

Howard Eugene “Gene Dinky” Higdon, 75, of Amarillo, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Gene was born on November 24, 1950, in Concord, North Carolina, to Edward Higdon Sr. and Doris Shaw. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. When his brother, who had already started a family, was drafted, Gene selflessly enlisted in his place.

On January 7, 1974, Gene married the love of his life, Cynthia Emmert. He worked as a truck driver for Beaver Express for 35 years before retiring. After retirement, one of his favorite ventures was owning and operating his bar, Old 66 Bar & Lounge.

Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, and shooting pool. Most of all, he loved dirt track racing with his boys. Even when he was no longer able to attend races, he cherished going out to the shop to watch them work on the car and calling their wives and grandsons to keep up with the action at the track.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Edward Higdon Sr.; his mother, Doris Shaw; and his brother, Ed Higdon. He missed his brother dearly and often spoke of the day they would fish together again.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Higdon, of the home; his two sons, Kyle Higdon and wife RheaAnn, and Kevin Higdon and wife Debbie, all of Amarillo; one stepdaughter, Sherry Sawyer of Tulsa, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren, Rae, Jacob, Reyter, Jazmin, Carson, Jasper, Tynlee, Kassidy, Mati, and Hunter; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Amarillo VA.