James E. Rigsbee

1920 - 2014

James Edward Rigsbee Jr., 94, passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2014, at Providence Hospital surrounded by four generations of family. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Legacy Funeral Home, located at Heritage Chapel at Angelus at 440 East Klatt Road. Interment will be in the spring. He was born on Jan. 7, 1920, to James Edward Rigsbee and Lucille Horton in Waukegan, Ill., moving to Iraan, Texas, in 1921. He was a state champion mile runner and played French Horn in the band. Also an Eagle Scout, he attended the first Jamboree in 1936 in Washington, D.C., taking 100 horned toads to barter. He attended another Jamboree in 1984! He studied civil engineering in college until he was drafted into the Army in World War II. He was a radio operator when he came to Alaska, where he was stationed on Amchitka Island. He returned to Anchorage, Alaska, at the end of World War II. He met and married Alberta Elizabeth Bigelow in Palmer, Alaska, in 1950. They were partners in life, love and business for over 56 years. They built a home on 20th and Borealis Drive where they raised kids, flowers, apple trees and lilacs. They started many businesses through the years including Cost Plus 1953-1964 and Inlet Rug Svc 1951-2008. James was a Teamster Surveyor on the North Slope and a Master carpet installer and an inventor of tools of the trade. He mentored many generations of family and friends. A very devoted family man. He helped fulfill many dreams of his children and grandchildren. Alberta passed way in 2005. Jim continued to work until he retired, living with his daughter Stacey and her family until his passing. He is survived by his daughters, Melaney Rogers and Stacey Boucher; grandchildren, Crystal Stryken, Sol Rogers, Elizabeth Rogers, Genevieve Dunyon and Phillipe and Sean Boucher; great-grandchildren, William, Asa and Phoenix Stryken, Haley and Chelsea Rogers, Andrew Green, Blainey, Jayden, Sienna, Cyprus and Kira Dunyon, Serena and Eliana Sandvik, Alex, Yuviana and Antonio Boucher; and his caregiver, Amber Mucha; and Nan and Jerry. His family said: "He left us a legacy of respect, responsibility, compassion, generosity, hard work, humor, creativity, adventure and open mindedness. The family came first, stayed together and took care of our own!" Services have been entrusted to Legacy Funeral Home, Heritage Chapel at Angelus. Flowers and donations will be welcome.