Dwight P. Riggs Jr. Obituary (1925 - 2020)

On February 23, 2020 a proud Marine said his last "OohRah". Dwight P. "Bud" Riggs, 94, passed away at Meadowbrook Place. Dwight was born on July 19, 1925 in Pueblo, Colorado to Dwight and Dorthea (Barkhurst) Riggs. At the age of one, his family moved to North Powder and later to Baker City where he resided the rest of his life. He graduated from Baker High School in 1943, joining the US Marine Corps immediately after graduation. He attended Officer Candidate School in Michigan and served in Honolulu, Hawaii. He married Catherine "Kay" Ayers, a Navy Wave, on March 9, 1946 in Honolulu, Hawaii. They came to Baker to start their family but being a Marine Reserve he was called back up during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant. He worked for Basche Sage Hardware for 30 years until it closed in 1980. In retirement he and Kay traveled to Yuma as snowbirds. There he learned to macrame chairs. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved picking Huckleberries and collecting coins. He was a lifelong Christian with a strong faith. Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, wife Kay, second wife Annie, and his sister Ruth. He is survived by his children Doug Riggs (companion Joyce) and Karen Riggs Conklin (Clyde), Charlene Moffitt his companion for the last 14 years, five grandsons and twelve great grandchildren, sister Jewel and several nieces and nephews. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Baker Elks Lodge #338 on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. with military honors. Memorial contributions in memory of Dwight can be made to the Oregon State Elks Association, in the memo please put Elks National Veterans Service Commission, or to the Baker City United Methodist Church through Coles Tribute Center at 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.