Claude V. Rigole

Claude Victor Rigole, 84, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2014 surrounded by his family and friends at Pine Pointe Hospice. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in the chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and burial will be in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM. Dr. John Beck will officiate. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pine Pointe Hospice or Ebenezer United Methodist Church.

A loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Claude was born in Plymouth, Michigan on October 11, 1929. He moved with his family to Langton, Ontario, Canada before settling in Bristol, VA where he graduated from Bristol, VA High School and attended East Tennessee State College. An avid lover of aviation, he married his true love while serving his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. After living briefly in Lincoln, NE, Bristol, TN, and Richmond, VA, career opportunities brought Claude, his wife, and three children to Macon, GA in 1966. After many years of service, Claude retired as a Technical Engineer from the Bell & Howell Corporation in 1984. Retirement only provided Claude with more opportunities to divulge in his woodworking craftsmanship, developing his golf swing, and doting on his wife and family. First and foremost in Claude’s life were the love for his family, Country, and God. He was a faithful member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Crusaders Sunday School class and also served as the chairman of the Church Council until his death.

Claude is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Hazel Marie Cross Rigole of Macon, GA; sons, Victor (Tammy) Rigole of Warner Robins, GA and Neil (Tina) Rigole of Monroe County, GA; sister, Thelma Rigole Payne of Bristol, TN; son-in-law and his wife, Harlan (Lisa) Halbrooks of Hartselle, AL; and grandchildren, Chris, Tori, Emily, Zachary, Haylie, Hunter, Abigail, and Hogan as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Rigole, mother Lucille Pippin Rigole, brother Joseph Rigole, Jr. and daughter Catherine Claudette Rigole Halbrooks.

Visit www.maconmemorial.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of arrangements.