Ronald Keith Rigsby, 71, of Shawnee, KS formally of Bonner Springs, KS passed away on Tuesday March 14, 2023 at the Leavenworth VA Community Living Center in Leavenworth, KS. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 am and the Funeral will follow at 11 am both on Monday, March 20, 2023 at the Bonner Springs Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow in Bonner Springs Cemetery.
Ron was born December 9, 1951 to his parents, Alyce Gayle Johnson, and Keith Rigsby in Roseburg, OR. When Ron was seven, he and his family moved to the Kansas City area. Ron graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1970 and promptly joined the US Air Force where he was stationed in Washington State. While there he met and married Rita Huckabay Winebrenner. He immediately became father to Kenneth Rigsby (Laura Robinson). Upon discharge from the Air Force, they moved back to the Kansas City area. There they added two more children, Brian Rigsby and his wife Angie, and Amanda Jordan and her husband Stephen. Rita passed away in 1987.
In 1998, Ron met and married Carolyn Osborn Dunigan. He also added two more daughters Vania Bruner and Llana Caray (Mike). While in the service, Ron served as a painter and was in the bugle corps. His career was spent in the financial industry before he was forced to retire early due to disability in 2010. Ron was active in his church Bonner Springs Church of the Nazarene. He was never afraid to share his faith with his family, friends and healthcare providers or anyone he met. Ron is survived by his children grandchildren Collin Roberts, Shannon Roberts, Eric Roberts, Luke Bruner, Logan Bruner, Graham Rigsby, Campbell Rigsby, Jacob Rigsby, and Samantha Snook. One brother Rod Rigsby. In addition to his parents, Ron was pre-deceased by his brother Wallace Rigsby and granddaughter Felicity Roberts. Ron’s love of music was evidenced by his participation in the band Silver Strings - Where he was the only one without silver hair, and not playing a stringed instrument. He and Carolyn enjoyed many hours of playing music together. He provided the smooth, strong tones of his Doc Severinsen trumpet while Carolyn just tried to keep up. We know Ron is now playing his trumpet in the heavenly band where his music has never sounded better.
When Ron retired, he acquired a new best friend his beloved dog Oreo, Oreo and Ron were always together if Ron was hospitalized, Oreo would go check the car each day to see if Carolyn had brought him home. Unfortunately, Oreo passed away in October 2022. If dogs go to heaven, Oreo was standing at the gate, wagging his tail when he saw Ron.
The family wants to thank the wonderful care workers at the Leavenworth VA Home-Based Primary Care Group and the Community Living Center.
Memorial contributions in Ron’s honor can be made to the Bonner Springs Church of the Nazarene or the Parkinson’s Foundation.