Roll Call Tribute
Charles "Charlie" Riggs '69 December 1, 2020 4:14 PM updated: December 3, 2020 11:36 AM
Charlie Riggs
September 17, 1946 - November 27, 2020
Charles Arthur {Charlie) Riggs, age 74, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, November 27, 2020. He was surrounded by his loving wife and sons as he passed quietly and peacefully from his home in The Woodlands, Texas.
Charlie's life will be remembered most for his love and loyalty to his family. He was a devoted son, committed husband, gracious father, and proud grandfather.
Charlie was born on September 17, 1946 in Houston, Texas to Ralph and Mary Lou Riggs as the fifth of six children.
Growing up in the tight-knit community of Galena Park, Charlie attended elementary, middle school, and high school all within two blocks of his home on Sixth Street. His fun-loving and good-natured demeanor was appreciated by his peers, being recognized as Mr. Galena Park High School as well as Most Athletic from his graduating class of 1965. Charlie received a scholarship to play football for Texas A&M University and graduated with a BA in Education.
While a senior in high school, Charlie met Stephanie Brittain of Pasadena. They dated throughout college and were married on August 10, 1968. They eventually started a family, raising two sons Robert and Christopher. After college, Charlie served a short stint in the U.S. Army before pursuing a career in education as a high school teacher and coach. His path led him to impacting the lives of thousands of athletes, students, and colleagues at many different schools, including North Shore High School, Aldine MacArthur, Baytown Sterling, Clear Lake, Clear Creek, and Pasadena Rayburn. Later in his career, he earned a master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University and became an assistant principal.
As a youth, Charlie found his calling on the sports field. In l 964, "Chunkin" Charlie Riggs led the Galena Park Yellowjacket football team to the Class 4A state title game. Often the smallest player on the field, Charlie left a big legacy for his inspirational play. He was awarded recognition to many All-State football teams, as well as the l 964 Scholastic Magazine High School All-American team. He set records for passing yards and touchdowns in a single season. At Texas A&M, he made his name as a placekicker, setting school records in single season and career field goals made. His field goal against the University of Texas in 1967 was the deciding margin in a 10-7 victory. The win clinched the Southwest Conference championship and sent the Aggies on to the Cotton Bowl where they defeated Alabama.
Although he loved sports and competition, what Charlie really loved was the way it connected him to people. He built many life-long bonds with teammates, friends, and family through sports.
In his later years, Charlie grew passionate for gardening. For over twenty years, he looked forward to Saturdays, where he traveled to visit his parents in Willis and tended to the vegetable and rose gardens.
Charlie was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Riggs.
Left to cherish Charlie's memory is his loving and devoted wife of 52 years Stephanie, his son Robert (wife Lauren) of Conroe, and son Christopher (wife Preeta) of The Woodlands, grandsons Colin and Cameron, and granddaughters Avery, Brittain, Caitlyn, and Landry. Charlie is also survived by his mother, Mary Lou Riggs of Willis, brothers Jim Riggs (wife Carol), Ralph E. Riggs, John Riggs (wife Merline), sisters Margie Riggs, Mari Ann Lisenbe {husband Steve), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also endeared by his surviving father-in-law Glenn Brittain, brother-in-law Dan Spain, and sister-in-law Cindy McWilliams {husband Tim).
A celebration of life service will held be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5th at Faith Bible Church, located at 5505 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Charlie's name to Boxing for Battle, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to help people with Parkinson's disease fight back against their symptoms.
Donations can be received at:
Boxing for Battle, Inc.
6046 FM 2920
Suite #613
Spring, Texas 77379
September 17, 1946 - November 27, 2020
Charles Arthur {Charlie) Riggs, age 74, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, November 27, 2020. He was surrounded by his loving wife and sons as he passed quietly and peacefully from his home in The Woodlands, Texas.
Charlie's life will be remembered most for his love and loyalty to his family. He was a devoted son, committed husband, gracious father, and proud grandfather.
Charlie was born on September 17, 1946 in Houston, Texas to Ralph and Mary Lou Riggs as the fifth of six children.
Growing up in the tight-knit community of Galena Park, Charlie attended elementary, middle school, and high school all within two blocks of his home on Sixth Street. His fun-loving and good-natured demeanor was appreciated by his peers, being recognized as Mr. Galena Park High School as well as Most Athletic from his graduating class of 1965. Charlie received a scholarship to play football for Texas A&M University and graduated with a BA in Education.
While a senior in high school, Charlie met Stephanie Brittain of Pasadena. They dated throughout college and were married on August 10, 1968. They eventually started a family, raising two sons Robert and Christopher. After college, Charlie served a short stint in the U.S. Army before pursuing a career in education as a high school teacher and coach. His path led him to impacting the lives of thousands of athletes, students, and colleagues at many different schools, including North Shore High School, Aldine MacArthur, Baytown Sterling, Clear Lake, Clear Creek, and Pasadena Rayburn. Later in his career, he earned a master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University and became an assistant principal.
As a youth, Charlie found his calling on the sports field. In l 964, "Chunkin" Charlie Riggs led the Galena Park Yellowjacket football team to the Class 4A state title game. Often the smallest player on the field, Charlie left a big legacy for his inspirational play. He was awarded recognition to many All-State football teams, as well as the l 964 Scholastic Magazine High School All-American team. He set records for passing yards and touchdowns in a single season. At Texas A&M, he made his name as a placekicker, setting school records in single season and career field goals made. His field goal against the University of Texas in 1967 was the deciding margin in a 10-7 victory. The win clinched the Southwest Conference championship and sent the Aggies on to the Cotton Bowl where they defeated Alabama.
Although he loved sports and competition, what Charlie really loved was the way it connected him to people. He built many life-long bonds with teammates, friends, and family through sports.
In his later years, Charlie grew passionate for gardening. For over twenty years, he looked forward to Saturdays, where he traveled to visit his parents in Willis and tended to the vegetable and rose gardens.
Charlie was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Riggs.
Left to cherish Charlie's memory is his loving and devoted wife of 52 years Stephanie, his son Robert (wife Lauren) of Conroe, and son Christopher (wife Preeta) of The Woodlands, grandsons Colin and Cameron, and granddaughters Avery, Brittain, Caitlyn, and Landry. Charlie is also survived by his mother, Mary Lou Riggs of Willis, brothers Jim Riggs (wife Carol), Ralph E. Riggs, John Riggs (wife Merline), sisters Margie Riggs, Mari Ann Lisenbe {husband Steve), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also endeared by his surviving father-in-law Glenn Brittain, brother-in-law Dan Spain, and sister-in-law Cindy McWilliams {husband Tim).
A celebration of life service will held be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5th at Faith Bible Church, located at 5505 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Charlie's name to Boxing for Battle, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to help people with Parkinson's disease fight back against their symptoms.
Donations can be received at:
Boxing for Battle, Inc.
6046 FM 2920
Suite #613
Spring, Texas 77379
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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