Eugene Wiggins

Dr. Eugene (Gene) Charles Arthur Wiggins was born February 18, 1931 and passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at the age of 91. He was known as a teacher, counselor, minister, writer, artist, and story teller as well as an avid University of Washington Huskies fan. Born in Everett, WA, Gene moved with his family to Seattle where he attended Queen Anne High School. Sports came easily to Gene, and in high school he lettered in three sports, was team captain for basketball and track, won all-city honors for basketball, and was awarded Queen Anne all-around athlete. He also served as Junior class president before graduating in 1950. He continued his education at Seattle Pacific College, where he was awarded the Sports Inspirational Award as a key member of the basketball team and earned a BA in Education. In 1961, Gene moved back to Everett and began his professional career as a teacher for the Everett School District, eventually working as a counselor at Everett and Cascade High Schools and managing the Indian Education Program. As a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, he valued his work with Native American kids and with the Cowlitz Tribe. His work with the Cowlitz was instrumental in their achievement of federal recognition as a tribe, and he was honored to be given the Native American name Xetup, meaning "Eagle Feather Fan." His outside interests included carpentry (he built his family a house, where he lived for half a century), sailing (making several long voyages in the Puget Sound in his 25 foot sailboat Wind Song), sketching and oil painting (many of his framed works decorated his home), and hiking (he once climbed Mt. Baker, and bought his first pair of boots from Jim Whittaker, first American to climb Mt. Everest). Inspired to further his education and his ability to provide counsel, Gene earned a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in California and a Master of Education from Seattle University. As a diligent student, he was proud to achieve a Doctor of Education in 1984 from the University of Washington. Subsequently, he worked as an Assistant Professor and Student Advisor at Seattle Pacific University, an Instructor at Western Washington University, and a part-time Professor at Nazarene Indian Bible College. Gene is preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Leona (Richter) Wiggins, brother Jack Wiggins, and sister Gloria (Wiggins) MacIsaac. He is survived by his wife Jessie (Wright) Wiggins, children James Wiggins and Kerri Wiggins, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Seattle Children's Hospital or Young Life of Everett/Mill Creek in Honor of Eugene Wiggins.