O'Neil Riggs

O’Neil Glen Riggs, 87, of Morehead City, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 31, 2025. He will be greatly missed.

Born on March 21, 1938, on a farm in Onslow County, O’Neil was the son of the late Leon Riggs and Ethel Heath Riggs Pittman. He lived a life marked by humility, kindness, and devotion to his family. A modest and gentle soul, he never met a stranger, and his warm heart and easygoing nature made everyone feel welcome and valued.

O’Neil had a self-taught mind and a natural instinct for how things worked. He possessed many skills and could build, repair, and install almost anything. In 1958, he began his career in the heating and air conditioning business, first in Jacksonville, NC, and later in Morehead City. After gaining valuable experience in those early years, he struck out on his own in 1969, contracting with Sears, Roebuck and Co. to install heating and air systems throughout Carteret and Craven Counties. For the next 17 years, he worked with determination and integrity—passing on both the trade and his values to his young sons who often went to help their dad work.

O’Neil took great joy in teaching both Glen and Gary the trade, imparting a wealth of knowledge and skill with patience, love, and quiet authority. He instilled in all three of his children a deep work ethic and the importance of hard work, respect, and integrity in all things. His grandsons Timmy and Matt continue to honor him with these attributes.

In 1986, O’Neil and his youngest son Gary, then 16 and still in high school, became partners and formed Carolina Heating & Cooling. Together, along with O’Neil’s wife Dolly, they grew the business over more than three decades, and for a while expanded into plumbing contracting and home building during the 1990s and early 2000s. Father and son shared a special bond throughout the years—working together, traveling together, and sharing many of life's moments and events, including “joint custody” of Gary's former dog, KoKo. The business, the memories, and O’Neil’s legacy continue on through Gary today.

O'Neil shared 65 years of marriage with his wife, Dolly Riggs, who survives him in the home they built and cherished together.

He is also survived by his daughter, Glenda Jackson (Mike) of Leland, NC; sons, Glen Riggs (Angie) of Newport, and Gary Riggs of Newport; and grandsons, Timmy Riggs of Newport and Matt Riggs (fiancée Savannah Lilly) of Newport.

He is remembered by his surviving siblings: Gene Riggs of Newport, Carolyn King of Emerald Isle, Travis Riggs of Hubert, Sherrel Riggs of Swansboro, and Ted Riggs of Wilmington, along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Jimmy Riggs, Jannery Daughtry, Franklin Riggs, Ashley Riggs, and Reginald Riggs.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to friend and caretaker Darlene Tucholski for all her efforts in helping care for O’Neil and Dolly during the final months of his illness.

No service is planned. The family will remember and honor O’Neil privately.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.