His Funeral Service will be held 1:00PM Monday, April 29, 2024 at Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, 301 Teel Road, Beckley. Following the services Jack will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Military Honors will be provided by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard.
Friends may gather with the family from 11:00AM to 1:00PM Monday at the church before the funeral.
Jack, better known as PawPaw by his entire family, was blessed to have everything a man could ask for: a long and wonderful faith filled life with loving and caring family and friends. A native of West Virginia, he loved his state and his country, their people and their beauty. He loved being outdoors and loved nothing more than a long drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway enjoying the beauty of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia mountains.
He served his country in the United States Navy from 1946-1948 on the USS Phaon and was in the Bikini Islands during the nuclear testing. After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Jack joined the Merchant Marines and enjoyed many trips on the Great Lakes. In 1953 he married Catherine Gibson, the love of his life, and they settled down to begin their family. Jack spent a large part of his working career at Slab Fork Coal Company in Management. After retiring from Slab Fork, he worked in several roles for the state of West Virginia and retired completely when he was 82 years old. He was a member of the Maxwell Hill Baptist Church and served as a Deacon there.
In most matters, he had the rare capability of combining modesty, wisdom and wit with a marked independence of thought and action. He will be remembered as a gentleman and person of good character.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Catherine Gibson Riggs; two brothers, J.B. Riggs and Sonny Riggs; three sisters, Betty Craddock, Charlotte Skelton, and Elizabeth Caldwell; and his son-in-law, Nick Rizzi.
He is survived by his daughter, Sharon McCrary (Charlie), his daughter, Vickie Rizzi, his son, Scott Riggs, his daughter, Beth Reed (Kim); five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Lostetter for the many years of care he provided Jack. They would also like to thank Bowers Hospice House.
When a dear family friend recently asked Jack if he would change anything about his life or if he had any regrets, he said, " I wouldn't change a thing."
Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhomebeckley.com
Blue Ridge Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 5251 Robert C Byrd Drive, Beckley is honored to be serving the Riggs family.
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