George Thomas Riggin Jr.

George Thomas Riggin, Jr., 92, of Longs, SC and Newberry, SC passed away on August 6, 2022 surrounded by his family. He battled illness over the past months and he hoped that he would be remembered as "always having a good attitude" and that everyone knows he "fought with all he had".
Born in Richmond, VA, he was the son of the late George Thomas Riggin, Sr. and the late Thelma Ione Riggin.
Tom attended Furman University and then earned his Masters Degree at Virginia Polytechnical Institute. During the Korean War, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served at Walter Reed Army Hospital and subsequently at the U. S. Army Tropical Research Medical Laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tom, with his dry humor, often remarked that his greatest danger of injury was falling from a bar stool.
After his service, Tom completed his PhD and began his teaching career. Dr. Riggin arrived at Newberry College in 1964 and eventually became head of the biology department.
While in Newberry, he coached Little League and American Legion baseball and became a basketball official. He also taught at Newberry Academy, served on the board and helped build the present facility. He coached the Little Purple which started as a girls basketball team at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, where he attended. The Little Purple became a travel team in the days when no such thing existed. In its final year, the team won the South Carolina Parks and Recreation State Championship.
In 1976, he became the head coach for the Newberry College Women's Basketball team. This was the first women's team the college had since the 1940's and he was tasked with the establishment of the program. Years later, Tom coached the North Myrtle Beach Christian Academy High School Women's basketball team to the State Championship.
Tom loved his family, the ocean, gardening, reading, sailing, Smithfield ham, and fried green tomatoes. He taught himself to sail and was talented enough to travel the ocean and intercoastal waterway. He was passionate about history, America, and the sacrifices of the men and women in the military.
In his early 80's, he volunteered at the Myrtle Beach Veteran's Association, driving veterans to appointments in Charleston. At 89, he surprised himself by becoming 'the cat whisperer', volunteering to foster and bottle feed kittens. Over the last several years, Tom worked on a collection of short stories, which was his labor of love. Just recently, at 92, his book was published.
Tom is predeceased by his parents and his beloved cat, Cammee, who was his first foster and his constant companion and comfort during these last months.
Tom is survived by his children, Doug Riggin (Karen), Kathy Riggin, Tom Riggin, Warren Riggin, Maegan Riggin, and Ian Riggin; grandchildren, Ryan Riggin (Julie), Jeff Riggin (Lorianne), and Lizbeth Riggin; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Macie, and Grant Riggin; and his one-eyed cat, Sarge.
Funeral services for Tom will be held at the beach at a later date.
The family expresses their appreciation to "The Fan Club", Dr. R. Goldberg, and the staff at Coastal Cancer Center in Myrtle Beach, SC, Dr. Davis, Dr. McCoy, Dr. Paysinger, Dr. Bradberry, and the staff at Newberry Internal Medicine, Kindred Home Heath, HSA Hospice, Newberry County Memorial Hospital, and especially Kay Traylor and the amazing 3rd Floor staff. Dr. Riggin was so very grateful!
Memorials are suggested to Animal Rescue Carolina, PO Box 210668, Columbia, SC 29221 or to the Disabled Veterans of America at www.dav.org.
Memories and messages may be shared with the family here on his tribute page.
Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve Dr. Riggin's family.