Jeffrey Rigley

Jeffrey Owen Rigley

June 6, 1963 ~ March 8, 2020

Jeffrey Owen Rigley, Husband, Father, Grandpa, Brother, and Friend returned to his loving Heavenly Father on Sunday March 8, 2020 after a valiant fight with cancer. He was born to Kenneth and Helen Dykster Rigley on June 6, 1963 in Ogden, Utah. Jeff grew up in Ogden and graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1981.

Jeff met the love of his life Kari Nelson in October of 1979 while cruising Washington Blvd. There was an instant connection between them. Jeff and Kari were married on July 10, 1981 and were later sealed for time and all eternity on March 26, 1983 in the Ogden LDS Temple.

Jeff was a loving and devoted husband and instant father to Kari’s young daughter Leslie (Buck) Ward. Together they loved and raised 3 more wonderful children. Chrissie (Bryce) Taylor, Kelly (Jennie) Rigley and Mike (Kisha) Rigley. He loved being a father and would do anything at anytime for each and every one of them.

One of the greatest blessing Jeff had was his grandchildren, all 12 of them.  He loved being a grandpa.

Jeff and Kari lived in Ogden for a short time after they were married and then bought their first home in Plain City, where he met and made so many wonderful friends. They lived in Plain City for 27 years before they built a new home in Pleasant View.

Jeff was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; where he was a devoted and faithful member. Jeff had many callings over the years. Just to name a few, he was a scout master, Bishopric member, High Priest Leader, Ward Missionary and home teacher. He tried his best at each of his callings. Even though scout master was by far the most challenging, he loved it. He spent many nights sleeping in a tent and telling ghost stories around the camp fire; even terrifying some of his scouts with his stories.

Jeff started his first job when he was only a teenager. He worked as a janitor, a dish washer, fry cook and construction worker. Jeff had a great mentor, Kurt Whiting when he was in high school, who taught him skills in autobody repair which lead him to a job as an autobody repairman and painter. He also learned to weld and do sheet metal work. Jeff always knew that he needed to have a college education, so while going to college fulltime and raising a family he received his BSA in electronic engineering from Weber State University.  He then worked at Hill Air Force Base for 35 years as a software engineer, retiring in December 2019. He made many friends while working there and always seemed to have funny things to say to make the work place more enjoyable for many.

Jeff was truly a Jack of All Trades, he could repair just about anything and was the hardest worker out there. He was self-taught about a lot of things and always seemed to keep Kari and his home in tip top shape. He was always helping others.

Jeff had quite an adventurous side about him; he loved hunting, fishing, golfing, camping and four-wheeling. He scuba dove,  rode motorcycles, water and snow skied and made many wonderful memories with Kari and his children. He took them all on fun vacations and created memories that will last forever.

Thanks to Jeff’s brother Ken, whom donated a kidney to him, he was given the gift of life and was able to have 15 extra years. Jeff and Kari cannot thank him enough for that precious gift.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Kari Nelson Rigley; daughter, Leslie (Buck) Ward; and sons, Kelly (Jennie) Rigley and Mike (Kisha) Rigley; his mother, Helen Dykster Rigley Boren; sister, Ann (Mark) Pearson and brother, Ken (Lisa) Rigley. He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Gene Rigley; daughter, Chrissie Taylor and granddaughter, Kylie Taylor.

Jeff will be truly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden.

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