Elton A. Riggs was born February 20, 1926, in Morrilton, Arkansas, to Marion Andrew and Mary Savanna (Wilsher) Riggs. He died Tuesday, August 26, 2014, in Claremore, Oklahoma, at the age of 88 years. Elton was a veteran of the armed forces having served his country honorably with the United States Army as a Technician Fifth Grade with the 393rd Infantry Regiment during World War II. His battles and campaigns included the Battle of the Bulge. His decorations and citations included three Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon, Army of Occupation Ribbon Germany, EAME Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, and Purple Heart Medal. After returning stateside, Elton was married February 1, 1947, in Midland Texas, to Suzanne Montandon, whom he met while serving in France. They had made their home in Lubbock, Texas, for most of their married life where Elton was self-employed as a Horologist. He was a faithful member of Lubbock First Assembly of God and served as board treasurer and deacon. He was an active member of the Disabled American Veterans serving as DAV Commander and DAV Chaplain. He was also a member of the Military Order of Purple Heart. Elton enjoyed a variety of pastimes, but his love of God and family was most important.
Loving family members include: His wife of over 67 years; Suzanne, of the home Five children; Larry Riggs and wife Shirley, of Dothan, Alabama Betty Riggs-Gute, of Plano, Texas Eddie Riggs and wife Cindy, of Owasso, Oklahoma Denise Riggs-Hawk and husband Alan, of Alcoa, Tennessee Yvette Riggs-Stucks, and husband Bryce, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Nine grandchildren; Michelle Sirchio, of Garland, Texas Tony Sirchio and wife Andrea, of McKinney, Texas Andy Riggs and wife Nicole, of Owasso, Oklahoma Grace Wosten, of Lubbock, Texas Kristi Calder and husband Steve of Glen Burnie, Maryland Cassie Morris and husband David, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Aaron Riggs and wife Jenna, of Collinsville, Oklahoma Lynsie Riggs, of Dothan, Alabama Zachary Stucks and wife Shelby, of Killeen, Texas, with Zach currently stationed in Afghanistan. 10 great grandchildren; Tony, Olivia, Dax, Arabella, Natalie, Jude, Bryson, Caleb, Adriana, and Reagan Elton was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and great granddaughter, Audrey Diana Riggs.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August, 28, 2014, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral services will be held 2:00 Friday, August 29, 2014, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Pastor Tom Lakey, Lubbock, TX officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be John Anthony Sirchio, Bryan Andrew Riggs, Aaron Michael Riggs, David Robert Morris, Zachary Bryce Stucks (honorary) and Tony Vaughn Elton Sirchio. Committal services and interment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery in Owasso. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Oklahoma Veterans Center, in memory of Elton Riggs, P.O. Box 988, Claremore, Oklahoma, 74018. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
