Albert Franklin Riggs Sr.

RIGGS SR. Albert Franklin Riggs Sr., born March 30, 1937, died of a massive coronary Friday, October 8, 2009, in New Bern, N.C. He was preceded in death by parents Irene Jarrell Riggs and Ernest Jennings Riggs Sr. He is survived by former wife, Ann Elliott Ball Riggs and children, Elizabethe Riggs Kramer (Stephen), Albert F. Riggs Jr. (Cynthia), Mark D. Riggs (Cheryl), and Robin Heather Riggs; son, Matthew Karrer Riggs died in 1990; grandchildren include Davis Kramer, Stephen Kramer, Austin Riggs, Jack, Riggs, and Rachel Riggs; step-grandson, Kevin Bowman. Raised in Russell, Ky., Al was the youngest of nine children, all of whom preceded him in death: Helen Riggs Tremaine, Ernest Jennings Riggs Jr., Kathern Riggs Jacks, Olive Riggs Marcum, Gladys Pauline Riggs Perkins, Margaret Riggs Carter, Doris Riggs Springer, and Donald Riggs. A lifelong broadcasting professional, Al Riggs began his career as a radio announcer for WIRO in Ironton, Oh. and WRFD in Columbus, Oh., before moving to television advertising for WJW-TV in Cleveland, Oh., WBNS-TV in Columbus, Oh., WIIC-TV in Pittsburgh WITN-TV in Washington, N.C., and other stations in Chicago and Springfield, Mo. He moved to Trenton, N.C. in 1992, where he founded a television advertising agency called ARMedia, before retiring in 2002. Al was known most for the love of his family, education, basketball, and a commitment to community service. His biggest life passion was writing. A published poet, he recently took First Place in the Kentucky State Poets Society for his epic poem Missouri Blue Norther. A Free Mason (Westerville, Oh. and Trenton, N.C.), Al was also active in Rotary Club International, Kiwanis, Aladdin Shrine Temple, and Reading Services for the Blind. He served on the Avonworth School Board (Pittsburgh) and as Town of Trenton Commissioner. He was a member of numerous writing organizations and the Appalachian Shawnee Tribe. He was very active in the Trenton United Methodist Church, in Trenton, N.C. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2009, at MORELAND FUNERAL HOME, 55 E. Schrock Road, in Westerville. Service will be held Friday, October 16, 2009 at 1 p.m., at Moreland, with visitation an hour prior. Pastor Paul Wright of Faith Bible Church will officiate. Interment will be at Blendon Central Cemetery. Friends, family, and colleagues may visit www.morelandfuneralhome.com to leave a message for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Reading Services for the Blind or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.