Charles Daniel Riggs

In loving memory, we announce that our father, Charles Daniel (Danny) Riggs entered the gates of Heaven on February 23, 2024, at the age of 74. He was living in Cincinnati, Ohio. He had been battling dementia for over two years. His beloved son Jon was at his side when he passed peacefully.

Danny was born on April 25, 1949, in Seattle,Washington, the firstborn son of Charles Arthur (Charlie) Riggs and LaRue Riggs. When Danny was five years old the family, which thenincluded younger brother Bobby and sister Loretta, moved to Nashville, Tennessee.  Danny attended Crieve Hall Elementary School, John Overton High School, and completed two years at Belmont College before being drafted into the Army in 1969. He served his country for 20months in Korea. 

In 1976 Danny moved with his young family to Cincinnati where he work for R.L. Polk & Co., publishers of the City Directory. In 1982, he started his own company, The Tree People.

Danny loved to work with his hands and build things. One of his earliest memorable accomplishments was building a 6-foot replica of his senior class ring that was used as the backdrop for photos at his senior prom.  He built numerous electronic devices, including the first microwave oven the family owned.

As his father Charlie Riggs worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for 48 years as a crusade director, the family spent summers in whatever city Charlie had been stationed in to set up an upcoming crusade.  While Bobby and Loretta opted to spend their days in the pool, Danny loved to put on a dress shirt and tie and accompany Charlie to the office to work with the local volunteer teams.

Danny was an eternal kid at heart. He was all about “having FUN,” and ensuring everyone around him was having fun too!  He loved to travel, taking his family to places like Branson, Missouri, or  Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  In fact, on more than one occasion, he took his entire company and their families to Gatlinburg.  He loved Crossroads Church in Oakley  Even as his mind was failing him, his biggest request was to be taken to church on Sunday! 

Danny is survived by his children Jon, daughter-in-law Christie Riggs, granddaughters Samantha & Mary Rose; daughter Erin and son-in-law David Gustafson, grandchildren Caitlin, Regan, Ruari, Eibhlin, & Liam; son Kevin Riggs; stepsons Chris and Jay Lazarus; and sister Loretta Riggs Ragsdale.  He is preceded in death by his wife of forty years, Georgia Riggs.

To honor his memory, we are holding a celebration of life on March 4, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., at Crossroads Oakley Campus Chapel.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the ongoing ministry of evangelism through the Billy Graham Library sent to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 marked for the Billy Graham Library or online at https://giving.billygraham.org/billy-graham-library/.

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