Rev. Dr. O. Gerald Trigg

The Rev. O. Gerald Trigg, 81, died Friday, May 15, 2015, under hospice care in Tupelo, Mississippi after a long illness and complications of peripheral vascular disease. He was born near Quitman, MS to the late O.K. and Cassie Evans Trigg. He was a graduate of Millsaps College, where he and his future wife, Rose Cunningham, were partners on an award-winning debate team. They were married in 1957 after Jerry’s graduation from Vanderbilt School of Divinity and began their life as partners in ministry at Caswell Springs United Methodist Church near the Gulf Coast.

During the difficult years of racial unrest in the early 1960’s, Jerry and twenty-seven other young Methodist ministers wrote and signed a statement, “Born of Conviction”, which resulted in most of them being told to find churches in out-of-state. The Triggs moved to Indiana, where Jerry served churches in Indianapolis, Clarksville and Greencastle at DePauw University, before being asked in 1980 to accept an appointment to the First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, CO. There he served with distinction for the next twenty-two years, retiring for health reasons in 2002, when he was honored to be named Senior Minister Emeritus.

While in Colorado Springs, Jerry continued to be active in issues of social justice and participated widely in the life of the city, the church and the ecumenical faith community. He was always a fearless voice for those needing to be heard and a strong, untiring advocate for minorities and all the victims of injustice. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from DePauw University.

Survivors include his wife, Rose Trigg of Tupelo, MS: son, Mark Gerald Trigg and wife, Darlene of Atlanta, GA.; daughter, Rose Lorene (Lori) Greer and husband Mike of Tupelo; brother, Don and wife, Marian of Gautier, MS; four grandchildren; one great-grandson.

A memorial service of celebration will be held at 3:00 pm on June 18 th at First United Methodist Church with Swan-Law Funeral Director’s assistance. Memorial donations may be sent to Mission ministries of FUMC, 420 N. Nevada, Colorado Springs, CO. 80903