J. G. "Jay" Rigby

J. G. Rigby, 92, of Victoria, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017. He was born February 6, 1924 in South Goliad County to William Zachariah Rigby and Emma Cornelia Prescott Rigby. J. G. was preceded in death by his parents, nine siblings, his youngest son, William (Bill), and by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy.

J. G. “Jay” was born on land purchased by his maternal grandfather, Bob Prescott, after his emigration in 1836 from England to Texas. Jay graduated from Goliad High School in 1941, and in September 1942, he enlisted in the army aviation cadets and was called to duty in January, 1942 for pilot training. After a month at Shepherd Field and three months at Texas A&M, he was transferred to the cadet classification center in San Antonio. He was sent to Walla Walla, Washington, and later in California was assigned a crew that flew a new B-24 to Townsville, Australia. They joined the 13th Army Air Force Bomber Command on Maratis Island in the Philippines. After completing 45 missions in the South Pacific, he returned to San Francisco on the 4th of July, 1945. He was honorably discharged October 4, 1945.

For the next five years, on the same Goliad farm where he was born, he pastured a few cows, raised turkeys and sold turkey eggs for hatching. Late in 1950, he asked his girlfriend, Dorothy Perkins, if she would marry him, and she consented. After his employment by DuPont, they were married on June 9, 1951 and honeymooned across the southern states to Washington, DC.

In 1982, after almost 32 years of service, Jay retired from DuPont. He and Dorothy toured 48 of the states, including Alaska, in their RV.

Their marriage was blessed with three children: Rodney, Debra, and Bill. Jay and Dorothy were lifelong members of Grace Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his children: Rodney Rigby and Debra (David) Studer both of Victoria, grandchildren: Sam “Trey” Dick III (Amy), Austin Janel (Bryan) Bowen, and great-granddaughters: Bridget, Samantha and Alivia.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017 from 6:00-7:00 pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapel followed by a memorial service at 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please do something J. G. did frequently – contribute to your own church, call a shut-in (or take them a meal), enjoy dinner out with your family, contribute to the education fund of someone you love.

Share words of consolation at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.