Martin B. Riggs

Martin Buckley Riggs, 82, of Richmond, TX passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 10, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Martin was born on June 25, 1933 in Beaumont, TX to the late Lloyd E. Riggs, Sr. and Emily Marie Clements Riggs.

Martin graduated from Beaumont High School in 1951, attended Texas A&M University from 1952-54 and served in the United States Army from 1954-56. In 1957, Martin married the love of his life, Beverly Ann Reynolds and began a future filled with great love, faith and family. He had a successful career in electrical design at Gulf States in Beaumont, TX and Fluor Corporation in Sugar Land, TX that spanned 37 years. During this time, Martin forged many close friendships that lasted through the years and brought great joy to his life. These friendships were enjoyed during fishing and hunting trips and on many local golf courses.

Martin is survived by Beverly Reynolds Riggs, his wife of 58 years; his son, Stuart Riggs and his wife, Deanna, of Richmond, TX; his daughters, Deborah Gremillion and her husband, Rock, of Houston, TX, Michele Labus and her husband, John, of Richmond, TX, Amy Morales of Manvel, TX, and Carol Hale of Sugar Land, TX; his grandchildren, Renee Gremillion Smith and her husband, Ryan, Rock Jr., Richard, Rose, Rory, and Riley Gremillion, Ethan and Emily Riggs, and Kenneth Morales; and his great grandchildren, Dominic and Liam Smith and Olivia Gremillion; his brothers, Lloyd Riggs, Jr. and his wife, Lee, of Mexico, Donald Riggs and his wife, Sybil of Lakewood, CO, Billy Riggs and his wife, Charlotte, of Atascocita, TX; his sister, Shirley Crawford of Fannett, TX; his brother-in-law, John “Pinky” Reynolds, of Beaumont, TX; his oldest and dearest childhood friend, James Hughes and his wife, Patsy of Hattiesburg, MS; and his many nieces and nephews.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Emily Riggs; his wife’s parents, H. H. “Country” Reynolds and his wife, Marcella; his brother-in-law, Jerry T. Crawford; and his sister-in-law, Pamela Collins Reynolds.

A gathering of family and friends for the visitation will occur from 5:00 – 7:00pm and a rosary from 7:00 – 8:00pm at the Settegast-Kopf Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Martin’s funeral mass will be at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond, TX on Thursday, April 14, 2016 with the interment to follow at Forest Park on Westheimer in Houston, TX. Pallbearers are Rock Gremillion, Jr., Richard Gremillion, Ethan Riggs, Kenneth Morales, Rory Gremillion, Robert Riggs, Billy Riggs, Jr., David Crawford, James Hughes, Jr., and Gary W. Jones.

Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the caregivers at Richmond Healthcare Center where dad was shown great compassion and gentleness during the months he resided in the memory care unit. We also appreciate the Hospice Plus nurses and aides that visited and monitored our dad’s well-being and addressed his personal needs during his illness.

The outpouring of prayers and love for dad and our family has been a tremendous comfort during this difficult time. While our hearts are heavy over the loss of this loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, our undying faith in the knowledge that daddy is now in his heavenly home celebrating his freedom from the chains of his impaired mental and physical health eases our minds and hearts knowing we will be reunited one day.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Catherine’s Montessori School located at 9821 Timberside Dr., Houston, TX 77025 where several of Martin and Beverly’s grandchildren attend school.

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