Clarence Richard Riggs

Clarence Richard “Dick” Riggs, 75, of Annapolis, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at Regional One Health Medical Center, Memphis, TN: resulting from a tragic accident during a recent fishing trip in Mississippi. He was born in El Paso, TX, on April 25, 1945, to parents Leeman Rahe and Wilma Jean (Ewen) Riggs.

Dick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He grew up in Annapolis, graduating from South Iron School. Dick, also known as Dickey, or his CB handle, The Fuzzy Dick, and jokingly called Rickie Diggs, (his nickname), was legend for his love of family and fishing. He never met a stranger, and everyone who knew him referred to him as a “One Of A Kind” – and Dick was the Good Kind. Dick was a mountain of a man with a heart as big as some of the creeks, rivers and lakes he loved to fish.……He was preceded in death by many, many, MANY fish. 

His career spanned multiple decades as an auto collision repair specialist, or as he called himself “a body man”. During those same decades he was also a tow truck driver. Additionally, he was a long-haul trucker for many years. He worked on 1000's of cars, towed 1000's more, and he had a story about each and every one. He drove well over a million miles in his lifetime.  Many in the community remember Dick arriving with the wrecker to get them out of precarious situations, many of which involved teens driving a bit recklessly with their parent’s car. Dick kept their secrets. He pulled many a car over a slick hill, from a muddy ditch, or out of a gravel bar. He loved to make folks think he was big and tough, but once you got to know Dick, you learned he was really a big o' teddy bear.

All who knew Dick had a story ABOUT him and had certainly heard a story FROM him. All of which he told with great animation and fanfare, until the punchline, which he would deliver with deadpan seriousness – followed by a roar of Riggs laughter. Dick’s whole body got involved with every story. He was a big loveable character, and he could be a character! He relished in teasing people. He would get a stern look on his face when teasing, then wait for the recipient to either laugh or cry. He made more than a few folks bawl or get fighting mad with his teasing…. but the thing about Dick’s teasing – he only teased people he liked. And Dick liked just about everybody.

He not only loved to fish; he also enjoyed teaching others how to fish. His gigging skills were unmatched…all done from a boat in freezing cold weather while wearing just a t-shirt. Dick was never bothered by the cold. If you went gigging with Dick, it was a memorable event. His fried fish and taters were the best. Dick had a nickname for almost everyone. And he NEVER let you forget it. Some of those nicknames have been around for over 65 years. But most will remember Dick for what HIS name stood for: kindness, funniness, good-heartedness, silliness, and most of all his sincerity. Dick was sincere about love, life, family, laughter….and fishing! He is now casting and catching in Heaven. May God grant him a never-ending fishing hole and a rippling shoal, where the fish are always biting, and the grease is always hot. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by an infant son: John Matthew; his sister: Delores Wielms; grandson: Ethan Riggs.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Miller-Riggs; children: Garland Riggs and wife Donna, Dulcey Spurlin and husband Terry, Richard “Goob” Riggs and wife Jackie; stepmother: Jane Ann Pepmiller and husband Kenneth; stepchildren: Darrell Miller and wife Angie, Joe Miller and wife Terri, Clinton Miller and wife Michelle, Brandy Miller, Toby Miller; nineteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; brother Wayne Riggs and wife Karen; stepbrother: Evan Funk and wife Rhesa; stepsisters: Terri Heuer and husband Jeff, Penny Justice and husband Eddy; nieces, nephews, and many friends.

A visitation only was held from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm, Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com 

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