Cecil Harding Rigsby, Col. USAF (Ret) took his final flight Nov 7, 2011 from Non-Hodgkin's lymp-homa. A loyal patriot, he served his country in the USAF for 33 years flying 339 reconnaissance combat missions in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He retired as a tactical reconnaissance expert with 7,000 flying hours. A man of strong personal values, he devoted himself to his wife and family and was known as a mentor, counselor, favorite uncle and beloved husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. Born Sept 1, 1922 in Tallassee, AL, Cecil became a Texan in 1924, growing up in Dallas where he graduated from Dallas Technical High School. He flew the P-38 in New Guinea during WWII, the RF-86 in Korea, the RF-100 in secret missions over Soviet territory, and the RF-101 and RF-4C in Vietnam. He served 5 years at the Pentagon, with 4ATAF in Ramstein, Germany and at Shaw AFB, SC where he served as Vice Commander. Cecil retired in 1973 at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX. His military awards include the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Full details are online. Following his military service, Cecil worked for Northrop Corporation, spending 4 years in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia and traveling extensively to other countries. He lived in Austin, TX until September 2010 when he and his wife, Lorrenne, moved to the Army Residence Community in San Antonio. He is survived by his daughters, Toni Rigsby of Atlanta, GA, Lisa Rigsby of Austin, TX, and Lori Millner of Dallas, TX; by grandchildren, Russell Wilson, Michael Meyer, Britt Little, and Claire Rigsby. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Lorrenne Crisp Rigsby, who left us on June 7th, 2011, his twin sons Ensign Ronald Cecil Rigsby and Russell Claude Rigsby (infant), his parents Mary Josephine and Calvin Rigsby, and his 7 brothers and sisters. Memorial service: Army Residence Community chapel, Saturday Nov. 19th at 1:00 PM. Graveside service: Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, TX 78731, Sunday Nov. 20th at 2:00 pm.
Published in Dallas Morning News on November 16, 2011
Cecil Rigsby is a descendant of the Sons of the Republic of Texas
Published in Dallas Morning News on November 16, 2011
Cecil Rigsby is a descendant of the Sons of the Republic of Texas
Cecil Harding Rigsby, Col. USAF (Ret) took his final flight Nov 7, 2011 from Non-Hodgkin's lymp-homa. A loyal patriot, he served his country in the USAF for 33 years flying 339 reconnaissance combat missions in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He retired as a tactical reconnaissance expert with 7,000 flying hours. A man of strong personal values, he devoted himself to his wife and family and was known as a mentor, counselor, favorite uncle and beloved husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. Born Sept 1, 1922 in Tallassee, AL, Cecil became a Texan in 1924, growing up in Dallas where he graduated from Dallas Technical High School. He flew the P-38 in New Guinea during WWII, the RF-86 in Korea, the RF-100 in secret missions over Soviet territory, and the RF-101 and RF-4C in Vietnam. He served 5 years at the Pentagon, with 4ATAF in Ramstein, Germany and at Shaw AFB, SC where he served as Vice Commander. Cecil retired in 1973 at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX. His military awards include the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Full details are online. Following his military service, Cecil worked for Northrop Corporation, spending 4 years in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia and traveling extensively to other countries. He lived in Austin, TX until September 2010 when he and his wife, Lorrenne, moved to the Army Residence Community in San Antonio. He is survived by his daughters, Toni Rigsby of Atlanta, GA, Lisa Rigsby of Austin, TX, and Lori Millner of Dallas, TX; by grandchildren, Russell Wilson, Michael Meyer, Britt Little, and Claire Rigsby. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Lorrenne Crisp Rigsby, who left us on June 7th, 2011, his twin sons Ensign Ronald Cecil Rigsby and Russell Claude Rigsby (infant), his parents Mary Josephine and Calvin Rigsby, and his 7 brothers and sisters. Memorial service: Army Residence Community chapel, Saturday Nov. 19th at 1:00 PM. Graveside service: Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, TX 78731, Sunday Nov. 20th at 2:00 pm.
Published in Dallas Morning News on November 16, 2011
Cecil Rigsby is a descendant of the Sons of the Republic of Texas
Published in Dallas Morning News on November 16, 2011
Cecil Rigsby is a descendant of the Sons of the Republic of Texas
Inscription
Col US AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
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