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Craig Riggs Obituary
7/15/1959-4/27/2017
Craig Allen Riggs was born July 15, 1959 in Concord, Calif. His family moved to the Auburn/Ophir area when he was eight years old. He and his brother Glen attended Ophir School thru the eighth grade. He graduated from Placer High School in 1977 and, along with his studies, played varsity football during the coaches Miller/Johnson era. Living in the Ophir area, he met the famous artist/sculptor Douglas Van Dowd and worked for him at the first foundry off Ophir Rd and at the present gallery/foundry at the Auburn Airport for 30 plus years, building bronze statues. And with his brother, he delivered these throughout the United States. This included the famous Indian Eagle that was placed in the White House in Washington DC, when Ronald Reagan was president. Craig was a very talented and hard worker, working with his brother Glen in the partnerships they owned together. This included buying used riding lawnmowers and fixing them to sell and purchasing and remodeling commercial property. They also had the upkeep of the Ophir property they own together.
He and his wife Pat raised Alpacas and enjoyed traveling from their ranch, where they raised them, to shows around the country. In his younger years, Craig enjoyed playing the bass guitar with his friends.
Craig was preceded in death by his father Lloyd Riggs.
He leaves his wife Pat, a retired physician. Her knowledge and loving care helped him through the terrible cancer that took his life. He is also survived by his two sons Morgan (Ashlyn) and Cameron; brother Glen (Tracie); nephews Justin and Jerritt; niece Michelle; mother Sally (Roger) Imsdahl and their combined family Laura (John) Scott, Kathryn Imsdahl (Bob) Bennett and many nieces and nephews.
His family and friends loved him and will miss him forever. He worked so hard.. But Now It Is Time To Rest.
Private family burial will take place at the Auburn Cemetery next to his father Lloyd Riggs.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 10 at the Meadow Vista Park, starting at 11 a.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Craig Riggs
Sponsored by Bob Rogers.
Bob
July 15, 2024
Happy Heavenly Birthday Craig. Your gain is the rest of our's loss with brother Glen has now joined you. Last year I never thought I'd be writing those words to you on your next birthday. It's still unbelievable to me. I hope you two have your own Ophir property in heaven where you two can work to your heart's content. Please know that I'll help your mother out whenever she needs it. She also has her wonderful grandson Justin close by who was a wonderful gift from Glen, now that she's lost all of her immediate family. Please say hi to Glendo for me. I love you Craiger.
Bob
April 27, 2024
7 years is unbelievable my closest friend. I can still hear your voice saying "How's it goin' you crazy Italian!" like it was yesterday. I'm glad it seems so recent in my memory. Others have joined you recently. Your cousin Lonnie and of course my mother who you've always admired. Please say hi to her for me, even though I talk to her daily. It might be nice for her to also hear it from someone else. Take care up there in Paradise buddy. Much love to you.
Bob
July 15, 2023
Happy Heavenly Birthday Craiger my friend. In the old days we'd celebrate it with a booze cruise. How I miss you and those days. Rest easy my best buddy.
Bob Rogers
April 27, 2023
Now that we've reached the 6th year since your passing, I'm reminded how the years fly. I'm getting older here, but you will be forever young at 57 my friend. Much love to your heavenly spirit.
Bob Rogers
July 15, 2022
Happy Heavenly Birthday my dearest and longest friend. This is the day you always caught up to my age. 57 years old seems so young now and so long ago. I will fall off the wagon and have a beer with you when we meet. Keep resting easy with the angels Craig.
Bob Rogers
April 27, 2022
It's hard to fathom that 4 years have gone by since your passing from all of us. Time has its way of marching on but memories of you stand still and seem like yesterday. Here is a wonderful portrait of you as a tribute by Doug. It really captures you. Glen gifted me this one to you. It's a wonderful gift to you from Doug using his talent to memorialize you. Rest well with the angels my friend.
Bob Rogers
July 15, 2021
Happy Heavenly Birthday Craiger. Have a nice day celebrating with the angels. We sure all miss you here.
Craig and I at Rogers Ranch
Bob Rogers
April 27, 2021
Your passing is a reminder of how they years slip away. At first we try to come to terms that you were gone and now it's been 4 years and sometimes I'm still in shock if I think about it too hard. Here is one of countless fond memories that I have of your time here with the rest of us. You, Dwayne and I touring the remnants of Rogers Ranch. That was a wonderful day. Rest easy friend.
Bob Rogers
July 25, 2020
Happy Belated Birthday my dear friend Craig. Today I just realized it was 10 days ago. We had dinner at Glen and Tracie's tonight down by the creek. It was quite peaceful. Several times I was thinking how neat it would have been to have you there with us laughing. Rest easy my friend.
Craig & Linda
Bob Rogers
April 27, 2020
Unbelievable my best friend has been gone 3 years already. The memories we have of you haven't dimmed one bit buddy. I'm still the "Crazy Italian" you always referred to. Here's a picture with Linda from back in the Ophir Gopher days. Rest easy and all of us will be reunited with you someday.
Dale Blakney
February 16, 2020
not sure I would have the right words, but life is fleeting and short, glad you lived yours and I was glad to know you as a friend and childhood neighbor. Rest In Peace
Reflective Craig
Bob Rogers
July 15, 2019
Happy Birthday my dear best friend. You'll keep having them every year as far as I'm concerned. We, and of course your mom miss you terribly. Here's my favorite reflective picture of you from long ago. Keep resting easy buddy.
Bob Rogers
April 28, 2019
Another year has passed since you left all of us my friend. Our world has been more empty ever since. You'd love your cute little granddaughter. She looks just like a Riggs. Here's her picture. Her name is Emmalyn. You would have made the perfect doting grandfather. Your brother really misses you. We went to a concert a couple of weeks ago and I was thinking how much you would have enjoyed it. Rest easy buddy.
This baby boy you're holding is about to be a father himself. You would have made a terrific Grandpa Craig. Plenty of nice stories Morgan will tell.
Bob Rogers
August 4, 2018
Happy Belated Birthday my friend. Sorry things have gotten so hectic lately that I missed it by a couple of weeks. Now that I have time to reflect, I realize we might have been celebrating it together had you been here. Rest easy buddy.
Compared to Craig, I had one smudge on my shoulder.
Bob Rogers
April 27, 2018
It's unbelievable that today marks one year since all our hearts were broken by your passing. The emptiness will never wane as long as we live. Please save a spot for me in heaven like I used to save you a spot on the bench along the sidelines. Keep resting easy my friend.
Bob Rogers
July 15, 2017
Happy Birthday my dear friend. All of us wish you were still here to celebrate it with us. This is your first birthday away from us. We miss you terribly, but you'll always be in our hearts. Love, Bob
Just going for a ride in Newcastle
Karenann Mott
June 10, 2017
Such a sad time. I wish the family faith and strength within each other. I remember Craig from school. He was always kind and full of laughter. God has another warrior.
May 20, 2017
May the God of all peace be with the family and give you comfort.
KELLEY
May 18, 2017
MAY THE THOUGHT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARING IN YOUR GRIEF BRING YOU A MEASURE OF COMFORT.PLEASE READ PROV.17:17
Julie Williams
May 15, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Craig. He was a sweet man. My husband Eugene worked with him for a long time and he will be so sad when he hears of this news. Prayers and condolences to the family.
Bob Rogers
May 14, 2017
It still doesn't seem possible that I've lost my dear friend. We were supposed to do so many more things together into our old age. I miss you immensely, Craig. We will meet again and continue what got cut short in this earthly existence. Rest easy Craig.
Bob Rogers
May 14, 2017
Bob Rogers
May 14, 2017
Bob Rogers
May 14, 2017
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