"tonight was the hardest night every james looked up in the sky and saw your star shinging briter then ever he looked up and said i miss you grandpa daddy ,it made me cry , i miss you everyday to but i keep busy ,tell mom dad and mick hi from me .miss you all,"
In loving memory of
James Riggs
July 10, 1934 - August 8, 2010
James E. "Jim" Riggs, 76, of Maquoketa, Iowa, died on Sunday morning, August 8, 2010, at his home in Maquoketa, Iowa.
Public graveside services will be held at 11 A.M., Thursday, August 12, 2010, from the Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, from the Carson & Son Funeral And Cremation Services in Maquoketa, Iowa. Cremation rites will be accorded.
James E. "Jim" Riggs was born on July 10, 1934 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Gilbert and Wilma Andersen Riggs. He graduated from the Elwood Iowa High School, where he played basketball and baseball. Jim was a U.S. Navy veteran. He married Louise Switzer on October 15, 1977 in Elwood, Iowa.
Jim had worked at Caterpiller in Davenport for 19 years until his retirement in 1988. He later drove truck for several years.
Jim enjoyed camping and fishing, he was known as a handyman and a tinkerer. Jim loved his family.
Jim is survived by his wife, Louise of Maquoketa, IA; children, Kevin (Jean) Riggs of Ft. Madison, IA, Thereasa (Cary) Brock of Irrigon, OR, Johanna (Danny) Creager of St. Donatus, IA, James F. (Dawn) Riggs of Ft. Riley, KS, Craig Riggs of Maquoketa, IA, Heather (Rockey) Davis of Maquoketa, IA; a brother, David Riggs of Elwood, IA; 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a James E. "Jim" Riggs memorial fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"Jim was a kind neighbor, always had a story to tell I will miss Jim although I didnt know him all that well I always felt comfortable talking to him."
"DEAR DADDY,
I am so sorry that I brought DRAMA to your life. I always thought I was a good Daughter to you and now that you are gone everybody in the family says I was no good, that I always depended on you way to much and maybe when I turned sixteen I should of started making choices like getting my license and my own car and should of had a job so I wouldn't of had to depend on you.I AM SO SORRY FOR ALL THE HURT I HAVE CAUSED YOU.I just wanted you to know I still need you in my life because I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH DADDY.I guess I am more like you than people relize because we both have big hearts and wouldn't want anything to happen to anyone.Maybe that is why I am being punished now. I hope you can hear everything that I say and I hope that you still love me.
I WILL NEVER DEPEND ON MY FAMILY AGAIN FOR ANYTHING. I WILL WALK TO WHERE EVER I AM GOING.I LOVE YOU.REST IN PEACE FOR THIS WILL BE MY LAST TIME I WRITE YOU THIS LETTER. I will talk to the stars from now on.LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER DADDY."
"Well daddy today is Dena's Birthday and she how she wished you were here to celebrate.I wore your coat to school today and it still has your scent on it and the kids were smelling your coat and wishing you were here especially James. I felt your presence the other day, my chest got so tight so I knew you were with me for a moment. Daddy missing and loving you everyday that you are gone. LOVE YOU ALWAYS and FOREVER "
"Grandpa today is a very hard day for me because it is my birthday and you are not here to see me. I miss you everyday. It is so hard for me because I love you so much."
"DAD NO WORDS CAN EXPRESS THAT EVEN THOUGH OUR TIME TOGETHER WERE FAR AND FEW AND MY LIFE WAS OFF TRACK FOR YEARS ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU WERE A GREAT FATHER AND MAN AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY.LOVE YOU ALWAYS DAD."
"Daddy it doesn't seem like it has been a month since you passed away.Everyone I see says they didn't even know you were sick and it makes me relize how short life really is.James looks for your star every night before he goes to bed and says I LOVE YOU DAD.You were just like a dad to him.Have had a lot of people ask how I am doing and all I can say is hanging in there because it is very hard now that you aren't here anymore. WE LOVE and MISS YOU EVERYDAY DADDY."
"Dad how did my life get so messed up.I can't even keep a job that I really liked and I can't make anybody happy anymore. I wish you were still here to help me.Dad I have no family or friends that truly care for me anymore, that can't see what I am going through, they would rather I just dissappear. Maybe next year that is what I will do, so nobody has to see me or my children again.My children and I will be long gone in some other country so I won't have to feel this way. We are going to leave everything behind and hopefully start all over.The kids and I just need to move on and hopefully my Husband will see it this way too. I LOVE and MISS YOU EVERYDAY. LOVE YOUR CHILDREN and GRANDCHILDREN. "
"Well 3 more months an counting down Dad we are going to be moving to europe aint no reason to stick around here anymore since you aint here. Ive lost my job and going to start all over again. Love Heather,Rockey,James,Dena "
"Daddy I pray every night that you are watching your grandchildren growing up so happy and watching over Rockey and I. We miss you so much you were the glue that held the family together and now that you are gone everything has fallen apart.James and Dena keep asking why don\'t grandma care anymore now that you are gone.Can\'t even call the house anymore or see her anymore now that you are gone for one whole year.Dad all it would take is one phone call Dad and it would be all over then it would be like you would of wanted it to be a happy family again. Every night I look upon your star and wish it would happen.LOVE and MISS YOU VERY MUCH words can\'t describe it."
"Louise, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will remember you in my prayers and thoughts. You and Jim were always so pleasant to speak with when I worked at Osterhaus Pharmacy. Take care of yourself!! Hugs"
"dad you were always there for me when something went wrong you fixed it now i have to figure it out myself i check on mom everyday she is trying her best to keep this family together i miss you sitting in your chair and eating dinners with you ,mom, and james ,see you tonight dad love you "
"to my husband i miss you everyday i cry when i think of the things we used to to;now you will watch over me while im in the hospital;i talk to you all the time at before i go to bed REMEMBER I WILL ALL WAYS LOVE YOU ,AND I MISS SEEING THE KIDS TO LOVE YOUR WIFE LOUISE"
"Grandpa Buddy and I miss you everyday. I will always remember you picking me up, so I could come down to your house. I LOVE YOU"
"Grandpa I miss you everyday that you are gone. I look at your picture and cry for you. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH"
"Daddy I miss you every day that you are gone. The LOVE that you showed me will be treasured forever. You were my hero and savior and I will never forget your passion you had for us. LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU"
"Louise and family sorry to hear of your loss. "
"Dear Louise and family, Johanna, Theresa and Dave, I just wanted to express my sympathies again over the loss of Jim. I can remember him home on leave from the Navy years ago. My parents (H & H Kroger) were at card club at Wilma and Gilberts\'. Yes, those are my most distant memories. I know we were distant cousins, but all of my cousins are important to me, and it seems we\'re losing so many of them. Take it one day at a time. Lord Bless, Darlene Christiansen"
" you have our deepest sympathy at the time of your loss"
"Louise and family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband/father. Know that God will always be there for you to help comfort you in these times. You are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"Kevin, Jamie, Johanna and Theresa and families, Sorry to hear of your father\'s death. Was great knowing all of you when we were neighbors. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time."
"Riggs Family I am sorry to her if th epassing of ur dad/husband. It is never easy to loose a Loved one. Always cherish the memories you have and they will help you to get through this rough time. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers."
"Louise & family,Praying that His love will comfort your sorrowing hearts.My thoughts are with you during this time of your loss of a great husband and father."
"Louise, Heather and family,
We were so sorry to hear Jim passsed away. He was always such a nice man with a kind soul. Louise you are such a kind person with a loving heart. I am so sorry you and your family are going through so much pain right now. Our thoughts and many prayers are with you all. May you find comfort in friends and God\'s love..."
"TO MY HUSBAND ,YOU WERE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE WE WERE TOGETHER 33 HAPPY YEARS,YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER ,TILL WE MEET AGAIN YOUR LOVING WIFE LOUISE"
"Louise & family thinking about you. "
"To all the family of Jim Riggs,
I was very saddened to hear of the loss of Jim. I have fond memories of when the family lived on W. Platt st. and my mom, dad,sister and I lived in the house across the street from them.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
May God bless and comfort you. "
"To the family- sorry to hear of the loss of Jim... i didn\'t know him well, but i know he had a great smile and was always friendly and eager to chat...know that i am thinking of you at this sad time in you\'re life."
"Louise,Craig and Heather,
We were so sorry to hear about Jim. You and the rest of the family are in our thoughts and prayers.
"
"Louise, Craig, and Heather (and everyone else),
We know how much Jim meant to you guys as a father and husband. Know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time."
"Louise, Craig, and Heather (and everyone else),
We know how much Jim meant to you guys as a father and husband. Know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time."
"Dear Thereasa & Cary,
We are very sorry to hear of your father\'s passing. Please know you are in our thoughts."
"On behalf of myself and the rest of the family thank you for your thoughts and pryers. It helps ease the diffcult time for us all."
"We are sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. "
"Jamie, Kevin, Johanna, Thereasa & Family; I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. May your memories comfort you and time ease your pain. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers."
"Sorry to hear of your loss, we do not know the family that well but have known Jamie and got to know his wife and kids... all are wonderful people. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, hold the memories close and cherish the time you had. God Bless."
" Sorry for your loss Louise and family. He was a good man."
"Sorry to hear of Jim\'s passing"
"Iam soo sorry for your loss Louise! If there is anything you need just ask ! You are in my thoughts an prayers!"
"Louise and Family. We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow."