Wayne Riggins

 

         Leslie Wayne Riggins was born in Lubbock on November 28, 1953. He passed from this life on December 3, 2022 at the age of 69. Wayne graduated from Lubbock Cooper High School in 1973.

         Wayne worked for many years at National Linen and then went on to open Good Times Restaurant in 1980 with his partner and father-in-law, Bo Bowman. A few years later, in 1983, they incorporated the town of Opdyke West, Texas and opened the Opdyke West Mobile Home Park where Wayne was the Mayor and ran the facilities for the community. In 1985 they opened a small beer store in a boxcar and went on to expand it into a full liquor, beer and wine store in 1987. Wayne retired in 2008 and at that time had been the longest running mayor in Texas.

         In 1978 Wayne met Crystal Allen in Lubbock and they married 5 months late in October of 1978. They had two girls in 1981 and 1983

         Wayne is preceded in death by his mother Francis Blevins Riggins and her husband Wilson Riggins, and his sister Debbie Copeland and her husband Stan Copeland.

          He is survived by his wife, Crystal Riggins of Levelland; his daughters Lacey Almager of Levelland (husband Arnulfo and son Benjamin) and Chelsey Dobrovolny of Whitharral (husband Jason and sons Hudson and Stedson); nieces and nephews,  Mandy, Meagan, Chas, Reed, Callie, Jason, Kristen, Jeremy, Enly, Eadie, Chad, Josh and Jensen

          Wayne was a member of Whitharral Baptist Church where he enjoyed worshiping and fellowship with his church family.

           Family was so important to Wayne and he made sure they knew it. He was proud of his two girls and loved his wife immensely, but his grandsons were the apple of his eye. He counted himself blessed to have them in his life.

           Wayne enjoyed football, watching westerns, backpacking and fishing. It was a life-long dream to have his own fishing pond and after about 25 years of working towards that goal, he finally achieved it. He finished his pond and spent many, many hours of his retirement fishing. It was a special treat when he got to fish with his grandsons.

            Before Wayne retired, he went on many backpacking trips with a group of his friends and cousins to the Santa Fe wilderness.

Wayne also enjoyed traveling and got to take several trips to Alaska to fish with friends and family. He also enjoyed taking trips to Las Vegas and Weindover with his wife and friends. Wayne and Crystal were known to be good hosts on trips to Vegas with friends and family. Wayne also enjoyed tips to England, Canada, New York, California, Seattle, Bermuda and loved to go on cruises especially Atlantic crossings. They even got to take a Mississippi River Boat down the Mississippi River.

Wayne knew he was a lucky man to have an amazing group of friends that he would do anything for. He was fortunate enough to have and keep friends he’s known since he was a kid and always seemed to find new ones wherever he went – even on vacation. Wayne was especially fond of his Round Table Bunch that he would have breakfast and share stories with.

Wayne was a unique and exceptional man and will be missed by many.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Krestridge Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Whitharral Baptist Church.  Interment will follow in the City of Levelland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Make A Wish, Boys Town, SPC Scholarship Foundation, or Whitharral Baptist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home.  (806) 897-1111