On September 4, 1935 Leon Sherman Riggs was born from the union of the late Shedron Riggs and Ida (Abernathy) Riggs in Cherokee, CO. Oklahoma. He attended Flintridge School near Hulbert, OK and later at Thompson Nero School in the Four Mile Branch Area. After school Leon joined the United States Military, where he served as a gunner in battery A, Army’s 7th anti-aircraft artillery battalion in Mannheim, Germany. A few years after honorably serving his country, Leon met a beautiful young lady, her name was Roberta McNack. They fell in love and on June 13, 1959 they married and made their home in Tahlequah, OK.
Leon was a very hard worker and provided for his family by working in the laundry and dry cleaning business at Tahlequah Laundry and Normal Club Cleaners for over 56 years. Leon also worked a second job in the janitorial/maintenance service with First National Bank, First Bank and Trust, Bank IV and finally after over 30 years he was able to retire from his 2nd job through Bank of America.
Leon enjoyed being with his family, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and the sport of rodeo. He had a love for baseball and softball. Leon formed a very successful Men’s Softball Team called the Malibu’s. They traveled throughout the state of Oklahoma as well as the surrounding states playing in various tournaments. Leon was also a member of the American Legion Post 135.
In 2010, Leon’s health began to fail, but through his faith in GOD he continued to meet life’s challenges, never complaining and never looking back. On Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 5:42 PM, Leon Sherman Riggs began his new life journey walking up the King’s Highway to serve in the Lord’s Army in Glory.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Walter McDowell, Sr. and one sister, Joy McDowell.
He leaves to cherish a life time of memories; his loving wife of 55 years, Roberta Riggs, four sons; Sherman Riggs of Tahlequah, OK, Alfred Riggs and wife Teri of Tahlequah, OK, Darryl Riggs and wife Kristi of Miami, OK, and Steven Johnson and wife JaRita of Kansas City, MO; four daughters, LaVonda Hartgraves of Fort Smith, AR, Shanell Riggs and Fiancé Armondo of Tahlequah, OK, Loretta Riggs of Gibson Station, OK, and Scherry Riggs of Gibson Station, OK; one brother, Dale McDowell; two sisters, Betty McCoy and husband Ben of Muskogee, OK and Jean Carr, of Oklahoma City, OK and two loving aunts. His legacy lives on through 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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