Saying Goodbye To Longtime Firefighter Dennis Rigby (With Photo Gallery)

February 15, 2020

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Family, friends and fellow firefighters bid farewell Friday to Dennis Rigby, 60, of Oak Grove. He passed away February 10 after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

On Friday, he was laid to rest with full firefighter’s honors at the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Rigby’s flag-draped reclaimed barnwood casket was carried to the cemetery on the back of a 1946 Mack fire truck, passing under a large American flag flying high above North Highway 99 from an Escambia Fire Rescue ladder truck.

An Escambia Fire Rescue honor guard presented his widow Sherri Rigby with the American flag.. His daughter, Kristi Rigby Hughes, was given his helmet, and son Chad Rigby received his badge.

Next month would have marked 40 years for Rigby as a volunteer for Walnut Hill Volunteer Department, and he also served as the department chief from 1988 to 1989. In 2012, he was named Officer of the Year and honored for his decades of service to the department.

During his 32-year career with the Escambia County, he most recently worked as fleet maintenance supervisor for Escambia County Solid Waste before his retirement last October.  In 2018, he was honored by the Escambia County Commission for his long career.

Donations in Rigby’s honor can be made to the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

For more photos, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “Saying Goodbye To Longtime Firefighter Dennis Rigby (With Photo Gallery)”

  1. Julia Williams on April 6th, 2020 7:13 pm

    I lost a friend, but the family lost an even better husband, father and grand father, my heart goes out to you all. We all know he is in a much better place and no more pain and suffering. I love you Dennis and always will. Until we meet on the other side my friend.

  2. Tabby on February 17th, 2020 6:03 am

    While i didn’t know Mr. Rigby, i will stand up and recognize a good man when I see him.
    Rest in peace and God Bless his friends and family. Amen.

  3. Mcdavid on February 16th, 2020 10:18 am

    May you rest in peace Chief. My mom and best friend passed away with pancrearic cancer. We must iraticate this horrible disease . God Bless

  4. James Elliott on February 15th, 2020 8:23 pm

    Rest in Peace Dennis.
    Thank you for your service.
    Sending Prayers for comfort during this time.

  5. Jack and Barbara Ryals on February 15th, 2020 10:16 am

    We were the lone car in the northbound lane of Hwy 99,that was stopped for this spectacular awesome procession….so glad and honored to witness this grand sendoff….reminded me a little of my brother’s grand sendoff a while ago…

  6. Schlotty on February 15th, 2020 8:43 am

    Rest In Peace Chief! May God give your family peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News