Ray died on February 9, 2022. He was born on January 1, 1943, to Ralph and Grace (Asplund) Riggles in Sedro Woolley, Washington. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1960. Ray joined the U.S. Army and served from 1962-1965 in Germany. After honorable discharge, he met and married Betty Evans in 1967. Many family vacations were spent with Betty’s family in Idaho.
Ray was a talented machinist by trade and worked 25 years at Skagit Steel. After working for a contractor, he retired from the Texaco Refinery in 2005.
Dad was an avid fisherman and loved fishing the Skagit River, the steelhead fishery on the Cowlitz and the local lakes. He was a long-time member of the Wildcat Steelhead Club. He instilled his love of fishing in his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed crabbing and clamming, picking wild blackberries and morels and crab dinners at Ferralls.
Dad also loved John Deere tractors. He was a member of the Cascade Two Cylinder Club. He enjoyed their annual Lynden Antique Tractor & Steam Engine show and trips to the Gathering of the Green back east. During the winter of 2018, he restored his 1951 John Deere M with Paul Hieb. He was very proud of it drove the tractor in the Loggerrodeo Parade and exhibited it at the Lynden Fair.
He also loved gardening, growing a large garden every year to feed the family. He also loved growing Dahlias. Anyone who visited while they were blooming was sent home with a bouquet.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Lisa and Mike Owen; son, Ralph Riggles and Shelly Ferrall; brother, Randy Riggles; sister, Joni and Steve Lee; uncle, Charlie Riggles; grandchildren, Logan, Nolan and Reid Riggles, Katrin Ferrall and Brady Buchanan; great-granddaughters, Blakely Ray and Stevie Jean. Also a niece and numerous nephews and cousins. He is also survived by many lifelong friends, including Ron Tingley and Paul Hieb. Dad also left behind his two cats, Bubba and Slasher, who were loving companions and a comfort to him during the last few years.
He was predeceased by his parents; wife, Betty in 2006; sister, Jan and Ray Selvig; stepdad, Albert ‘Johnny’ Johnson; stepsister, Glee Daves; stepbrother, George Johnson; in-laws, Walter and Edna Evans; uncle Ernie & June Riggles, uncle Virgil and Marvel Riggles and uncle Orville Riggles.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wildcat Steelhead Club, PO Box 435, Sedro- Woolley, WA 98284, or to the Skagit Humane Society, 18841 Kelleher Rd, Burlington, WA 98233.
Family burial will be held at 11:00, Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Union Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley. A Celebration of life will follow at 1:00, at Lemley Chapel with reception at the Sedro-Woolley Eagles. Share your memories of Ray and sign the online guest register.
Ray’s up there fishing with the old gang.
Ray was always there for my folks June and Ernie Riggles. he was like a son to them. towards the last for my folks if I could not do it ray did it for my folks no matter what it was. he was always there for them. he had the best barbeque salmon I remember on warner street. he was a great cousin more like a brother to me. will miss ray lots
To the Raymond Riggles Family,
I was so sorry to hear about Raymond’s death. I have been praying for him regularly since learning he had cancer more than a year ago. I was so glad to hear in his cards that he was receiving such good support from his family. Bless you all!
Raymond and I shared a love of gardening and of animals. I was pleased to see the suggestion that donations could be made to the Skagit Humane Society.
Ray and I worked together and fished together for years. I remember us rebuilding Tug Boat Tingley’s old river boat in my garage. After it was completed, we took our kids out steelhead fishing at Concrete. Good times! We also did a little restoration on the 57 Chev he so loved. He did love his green tractors.
I will miss Ray as to me he was one of my best friends. May you rest in peace. I will be out of state and unable to attend Ray’s service. I send my sincere blessing to all his family.