Alfred Colegrove Jr.

Alfred Nolan Colegrove Jr. was born on November 5, 1936 on a cool autumn morning in Hoquiam, Washington. The rest of the world new him as Riggie, or just simply neighbor. Riggie was called home by the almighty on February 28, 2012, with his wife and children at his side.

Riggie was a mans man and truly a gentleman or as he put it “all kinds a man”, He will be missed by all who knew him. Riggie spent most of his life in Hoopa Valley working, hunting and fishing. When Riggie was a young man he was the person in Hoopa to have a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a black 1951 Pan Head. You could find the tell-tale sign on every road in Hoopa… black circles… everywhere!

When Riggie was a boy he spent many of his days on the Luddington ranch learning how to be a cowboy from his uncle’s John and Gilbert. After being introduced to the cowboy way it became a life-long passion for him, riding, roping, and branding were among the things that made him happy. Riggie spent countless days at Box Camp chasing cows and hunting Riggie was a member of the Hoopa All Indian Rodeo Association and in 1978 he won the coveted “all-around cowboy “by earning top scores in the bare-back and bull-riding events.

Riggie was known as a craftsman that could do remarkable thing with his hands, make wooden sculptures, build homes, make nets, shoe horses, cut beautiful filets of fish, cook a mean pot of chili beans. Riggie spent many of his years practicing the traditional ways of the Hupa Indians along side his father Al “Top Gunner” Colegrove Sr. Riggie liked to sing brush dance songs, be the center man in the jump dance and pack rock in the deer skin dance with his brother Bryan Sr.

Riggie made a career operating a back hoe and being a cat-skinner in the woods. Riggie dedicated several of his years to the Public Utilities Department in Hoopa working along-side his life- long friend Joe Jarnaghan. You could always tell where Riggie was working, he always took extra time to repair a driveway or clear weeds and briars to his own personal touch on what ever he did. when the end of the day was near, Riggie and his back hoe would moving at a high rate of speed headed for the shop.

Riggie spent 35 years of his life married to his wife Vonice, thick and thin, up and down, she remained by his side. Riggie enjoyed spending time with his grand children, roasting hotdogs and marshmallow’s at the river and sharing one of his greatest talents with them … a home cooked meal.Riggie was always quick to offer a hot meal to anyone that he called a guest in his home.Riggie always made sure that Aymee Rose started her day off right, with spuds and eggs, golden brown and soft on the inside just the way she liked them.

Riggie is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Mabel Colegrove Sr., brother, Bryan “Stoney” Colegrove Sr., sister, Alfreda Pratt, and daughter Kathleen “Kathy Ducks” Colegrove.

He is survived by his wife Vonnice Colegrove, brothers and sisters, Chris “JB “Colegrove, Gary and Cathy Colegrove Sr., Lonnie and Ilene Colegrove and Marcee Colegrove. Children Deserri Colegrove, Candi Colegrove, Gary and Shelly Dempewolf Sr., Rachelle Bradberry, Rocky and Joanna Colegrove, Cecil Maloney, Alfred III and Perry Lee Colegrove, Mike Kelsey and Aymee Rose Perry. Grandchildren, Ali McCovey, Victoria Rousso, Joni Marshall, Candee McCovey, Lance and James McCovey, Jeffrey and Alex Hodge, Tashana, Ashley, and Gary Dempewolf Jr., Nolan E Colegrove, Michelle and Natasha Bradberry, Katherine, Madaline, Michael, Alfred, Michele, Michole, and Ernie Kelsey, Ashtyn, Justin, Jack, Michael, and Roxy Colegrove, Alfred IV, Mable, and Gracie Colegrove, Christian, Teracita and Anthony Maloney, and Honey Marie Colegrove, Kela and Dean Colegrove.

Pallbearers are Everett “Tweet” Colegrove Sr., Everett “Muss” Colegrove Jr., Bucky Jackson, Loren Norton, Hank Masten, Spam Ferris, Greg Perry, Tim Perry Sr., Dave McCoy and Randy Clark.

Honorary Pallbearers are Ben Jones, Freckless Brown, Bobby Del Vecchio, Gary Leffew, Charlie Samson, Tuff hedeman, Bryan Colegrove Jr., Nolan C Colegrove Sr., Lonnie Colegrove, Alphonso Colegrove, Billy Colegrove, Gary Colegrove Jr., Omar Dean Jr., Brain Stephens, Walley Morton Jr., Tswenaldin Van Pelt, Robert McConnell Jr., Stuart McConnell, Mike Ferris, Stanley Ferris Sr., Stanley Ferris Jr., Boyde Ferris, Slinger Lewis, Norman Lewis Sr., Alex Pratt, Daniel Colegrove, Sonny Buck Ferris, Stanley Dale Ferris, Duane Ferris, Anthony Risling jr.,Mike Baldey Sr.,Tim Bussell Sr., Vigil Pole Sr. ,Clyde Moon, Bill Lavine, Albert Tsatoke, Jack Ammon, Kenny Ammon, Melvin Marshall Sr., Dave Drake, Albert Grey, Bud Grey, Walley Grey, Merky Oliver, Corkey Simms, Ray Mattz, Walt Lara Sr., Frank Lara, Glenn Moore III, Chino Young,Dwight and Duane Van Pelt, Chance Carpenter, Rodney Ammon, Kevin Lane, Kevin Wilder, Randy Aquoa, Arden McCovey John Marshall, Robert Marshall, George Blake, Robert Blake, Jake Blake, Gail Jackson, Philip Vigil, Delivan McCovey, Cliffy Houston, Craig Houston, Roger Houston, Mickey Carpenter, Mike McLaughlin Sr., Mike McLaughlin Jr., Ulysses McLaughlin, Doug Brown, Sylvester Brown, Oscar Brown, Paul James Sr., Jack Bondini, Earl Griffith Jr., Gary West, Artie Jones, Rick Hall Sr., Lester Latham, Floyd Montgomery, Chet McCovey, Gary Redinus, Darrin Masten, Eugene Young, Gary Young, Steve Marshall, T.R. Maloney, Kevin Latham Sr., Ronnie Robbins, Doug Jackson Sr., Doug Jackson Jr.,Donnie Jackson, Charlie Jackson, E-Z Jackson, Beaver Jackson, Eric Ferris, James Rickaby, Bill Taylor, Milton Baldey, Steve Hostler, Otto Hodge, Ryan Lapointe, Gary Jordan, Hank Beck, Wayne Grant, Kenny Ammon, Richie Nixon, Steve Fergeson, Loren Hostler, Steve Creighton, Pete White Sr., as well all of his grandsons.

Riggie left a lasting impression on all who knew him, the family would like to apologize for anyone who’s name was not mentioned.

Please join us in this day to honor Riggie.

Visitation will be held at Paul’s Chapel, Arcata, Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, 4-8pm

The Funeral will be held at the Hoopa Neighborhood Facility, Wednesday, March 7th, 2012, 1pm,

The burial will be at the Colegrove Family Plot, on Pine Creek Road, in Hoopa, Ca.

Arrangements under the direction of Paul's Chapel, Arcata, CA.

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I loved my husband dearly. My greatest enjoyment came from spending time with him. I took pride in knowing the he knew he would always have what he needed and knowing that I was the one he could count on for all his needs. Not a day will go by that I will not think of him or speak of him. 35 years of precious memories will never be forgotten. I will always hold that special place for him in my heart. I love you “young man” and anxiously look forward to the day will meet again and spend eternity side by side. Until then I know that I will always have a special angel watching over me right by my side.

I love you forever.

Love Always

Your Wife and Best Friend