Thomas Edward Riggs, Jr.

Thomas Edward Riggs, Jr. transitioned to heaven Monday, February 5, 2024.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at the Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Reverend Wayne Williams officiating, and burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 12, 2024, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Tommy was born January 11, 1930, in Waco, Texas, to Thomas Edward Riggs and Margaret Halbert Plant Riggs. Educated in Waco public schools, he graduated from Waco High School in 1946. Thomas graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1955. He also attended St. Mary’s Law School in 1962.

Tommy married Janis Jane Harris on March 28, 1953, and were married 64 years until her death in 2017. To this union two sons were born, Thomas Edward Riggs, III and Randy Harris Riggs.

Tommy was an officer in the United States Army serving in Korea in the 25th Infantry Division, 27th Regiment, H Company as a mortar platoon leader before being appointed a PX officer when the Division moved offline when the DMZ was established.

A Certified Public Accountant, he first worked for Wilcox, Pattillo in Waco before moving to Austin and San Antonio where he worked for Ernst & Ernst opening the Austin office in 1963. In Austin, he also was the Assistant Executive Director for the Texas Hospital Association and the Inaugural Director of the Veterans Administration Data Processing Center before being transferred to Washington DC as the Director of the Veterans Administration Field Operations Service. In 1973, he returned home to Waco with the CPA firm Greenstein, Riggs, Dulock & Logan. In 1981, Riggs & Company was established where he continued to practice accounting and teach federal budgeting and accounting for the US Civil Service Commission and the US Department of Agriculture Graduate School until his retirement in 2014.

Throughout his career he enjoyed involvement within the community. This involvement included Past Chairman & Honorary Advisory Board Member of the Salvation Army and various Masonic organizations as a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Past Master of Austin Lodge #12 and Golden Trowel recipient from Waco Lodge #92.

Of particular pleasure was his involvement with Kiwanis International where he served as President of the Austin club and closely worked with the Waco club of which his father was a member. He served the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International as Secretary, Lieutenant Governor and was elected their Governor serving in 1994-95. He continued this involvement on various international and district committees throughout his retirement. Regular involvement at local meetings was still a pleasure and a joy until his health prevented his attendance.

Tommy was born at home during ice, sleet and snow as documented by his mother. She also documented his inquisitive nature wondering “what kind of cow makes chocolate milk” when he was two years old. She continued to describe her sons in this manner, Hal, Tommy’s younger brother, is an all-outdoor boy while Junior reads and is interested in his books and music. This interest continued throughout his entire life. At five, Tommy started his first band, a rhythm band entitled “Red Riggs’s Rhythm Rascals.” This love of music allowed him to play professionally for 60 years including gigs with the Waco Symphony Orchestra, Glenn Miller Orchestra and The Temptations. He was a founder of the Waco Jazz Orchestra which is still in existence with upcoming concerts that he would invite you to, if able.

The love of books and inquisitive nature led to years of reading and research particularly in spiritual research. He had a unique relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This led to teaching Sunday School for many years. Even during the pandemic, he took his message online and would send it to anyone interested. A special group of guys known as the Geezers probably joined in some of this discussion but others may never really know because Tommy would say “What is discussed at Geezers, stays at Geezers.” Tommy valued those discussions and the friendship generated with this special group of guys.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janis Jane Harris Riggs; his father, Thomas Edward Riggs, Sr.; his mother, Margaret Halbert Plant Riggs; and brother, Halbert Plant Riggs.

He is survived by two sons, Thomas Edward Riggs, III and wife Toni, and Randy Harris Riggs and wife Mary Ann; his six grandchildren, Thomas Edward Riggs, IV and wife Sarah, Christopher Myles Riggs, Leah Rachael Riggs Stone and husband Austin, Katherine Paige Riggs Sullivan and husband Colby, Alyssa Marie Riggs, and Isabella Jane Riggs; as well as six great-grandchildren, Truett, Abbott, Emmitt and Taliah Stone, Kayce Sullivan and Blaze Riggs.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or your favorite charity. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on Tommy’s "Tribute Wall" at www.WHBfamily.com.