RIGGS, Tom

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Tom Riggs, 61, passed from this Earth on Wednesday, May 22, [2013] surrounded by his friends and family. Tom was born in Herrin, Ill., on Aug. 23, 1951. Though he was the first child born to Earl and Juanita Riggs, he was soon to be joined by three brothers and a sister. Tom came to Wickenburg in 1978 after receiving his engineering and Associate of Metallurgy degrees from Rolla School of Mines. Before coming to Wickenburg, he worked for Conoco Oil -- building the largest mining equipment in the world, a 250-yard dragline, and managing an equally impressive fleet of machinery. Tom did not stay put in Wickenburg for long but travelled eastward, finally settling for a time in the state of Texas where he met Tammie Meyers. It took a bit of convincing, but he managed to get her to move back to Arizona with him, and in December of 1985 they were married in Wickenburg, the town he never forgot when he left Arizona. Since making his home in Wickenburg, Tom volunteered his services to any and all in need. He made the beautification of Wickenburg a complete campaign, starting a local division of Arizona Clean and Beautiful to help maintain the local desert. His knowledge of the surrounding area was called upon many times to help rescue stranded hikers and help seek resolutions to criminal investigations. He continued this volunteer work up until his death, joining investigators in the Bradshaw Mountains in early May to help them try to solve a 22-year-old cold case that involved the death of a man he called his friend. Day or night, he was only a phone call away -- coming forward again and again to help Wickenburg and its residents. Tom was ever determined, spending his last days at the Vulture Mine, a place he loved and nurtured, hoping to see it once again restored to its former glory. Tom is survived by his wife Tammie; daughter Tracie; sister Beverly; brothers David, James, and Daniel; and his most loyal companion of all, his dog Mikey. Tom was preceded in death by his parents. Information for memorial services will be announced later this month. In lieu of flowers and cards, instead turn to your community. Volunteer, write a letter, make a phone call, adopt a dog, or just wave to a neighbor. Do something to help improve the town Tom loved so much, and keep his memory alive. David’s Desert Chapel in Wickenburg is handling the arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~ The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, October 16, 2013 The Family of Tom Riggs invites the community to commemorate a life well spent. This Saturday (Oct. 19) at 10 a.m., friends and family will gather to remember Tom Riggs. The memorial will be held at The First Southern Baptist Church of Wickenburg, 360 West Yavapai St. in Wickenburg. The memorial will be composed of a brief sermon to be followed by a period of open sharing. If anyone would like to speak or share a memory about Tom Riggs, let the family know so it can be coordinated. Everyone who feels they cannot speak but would instead like to submit something in writing, it will be read at the memorial in lieu of a speech. Not a day goes by that this member of the community is not missed or thought of. Tom would not expect us to cry at this loss, but rather to remember instead the laughs that were shared and the memories made as he helped build this community.