Magistrate Robby Higdon passes away after long health battle

Grayson County Fiscal Court and many Grayson County residents are mourning the premature death of First District Magistrate Robby Higdon after a lengthy illness.

Higdon, 43, passed away Sunday morning at his residence surrounded by family and friends.

He was elected to Fiscal Court in November 2018 and was the owner of Higdon Contracting and a member of Knights of Columbus.

“The Fiscal Court and myself are devastated by the loss of our First District Magistrate, Robby Higdon,” Grayson County Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson said upon learning of Higdon’s death. “I have personally known Robby for over 30 years. This man had the biggest heart of anyone I know, (as) he was always available to step-up and help someone that was in need. He has proven this through his countless hours and dedication to organizations around the county through the years. This is a great loss to our community.”

Despite suffering a debilitating illness, Higdon continued to perform his job as magistrate, attending many meetings when he clearly was not feeling well. It was only about six weeks ago that Magistrate Tommy Higdon told Fiscal Court that Robby Higdon was working hard for his Clarkson constituents.

“I just want to say something about Robby,” Tommy Higdon said. “We all know Robby is a little under the weather, (and) I went down and saw him today and spent a pretty good while with him. And just because he’s not here (doesn’t mean he isn’t working). He was telling me about some of the good calls he’s received about the roads … He wishes he could be here and he wanted to try and get here tonight, but trust me, from what I saw, some notes that he had today, he’s working, he’s doing all he can do. He’s struggling (with his health), but he’s still hanging in there and he wishes he was here. He’s doing a good job.”

He is survived by his wife, Nichole Higdon and their five children.

To read Robby Higdon’s obituary, click here.

Gov. Matt Bevin will now appoint someone to serve as First District Magistrate until a special election is held in November 2019, which will determine who serves the remainder of Higdon’s four-year magisterial term.

(Headline photo: Robby Higdon, in center with red shirt on, surrounded by family after being sworn-in as magistrate in Dec. 2018, courtesy of Facebook)