PFC Wesley Robert Riggs, U. S. Army

PFC Wesley Robert Riggs, U.S. Army, 19, of Beach City, TX was born August 16, 1985 in Baytown and was killed near Tikrit, Iraq on May 17, 2005 while on a routine patrol when a roadside bomb exploded. Wesley was a member of the 2nd Platoon/D Company/2nd Battalion/7th Infantry Regiment/3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart in Savannah, GA. Wesley was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.

He was a quiet kid but determined to finish high school, graduating in 2003 from Barbers Hill High School in 3 years. He enlisted in the Army in February of 2004 and had planned to pursue a career in Law Enforcement upon his discharge. He spent a lot of time with close friends and enjoyed working on cars, mudding, four wheeling, camping, and fishing. He was a member of the Team Houston Olympic weight lifting team and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Mont Belvieu.

His family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be at St. John Catholic Church in Baytown on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Andrew Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.

Serving as pallbearers will be PFC Cassidy Swatsell, U. S. Army, LCpl Stuart Mankin, U. S. Marine Corps, HA Dwayne Reagan, U. S. Navy, Jason Smoke, Scott Sterling, and Nick Reed. Honorary pallbearers will be his fellow soldiers of 2nd Platoon serving in Iraq.

Wesley was preceded in death by his grandmother, May Norris, great grandfather, Robert Jackson, and uncle, Marion Peoples and is survived by his beloved fiancé, Christina Dew of Crystal River, FL; parents, Daniel and Vicki Riggs of Beach City, Gayle McDermott and Roy Chavez of Pasadena, and Robert “Mac” McDermott of Galena Park; brothers, Patrick McDermott and Kevin McDermott, both of Pasadena, Daniel Riggs II of Beach City; HA J William Kirk, U. S. Navy of Portsmouth, VA, and Justin Kirk of Richardson; and grandparents, Jared and Helen Riggs of Gregory, MI, Sally Cobb of Garfield Heights, OH, Martha and Eddie Barthomley of League City, and Phillip and Connie Sterling of Northshore.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions may be made to help support his fellow soldiers of D Company and their families. Checks should be made out to 2-7 IN BN FRG and on the memo line, write “In memory of Wesley Riggs”. Checks may be mailed to D Company, 2-7 IN FRG, c/o 120 Reese Drive, Richmond Hill, GA 31324

To view the obituary or to leave a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Services are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX 77521, (281) 422-8111.