Jay D. Rigby, our wonderful father and grandfather, passed away at home on June 19, 2022, surrounded by his family.
Jay was born on May 5, 1931, in Fairview, Utah to Thomas Martin Rigby and Elva Labell Anderson. He was raised in Fairview and married Marilyn Reeder Hunt on June 10, 1950.
Jay and Marilyn were blessed with seven children: Jay (Rhonda), Wendell (Elizabeth), Dianne Nevers (Gary), Roger (Shauna), Sandra Bath (Brian), Allison Stayner (David) and Scott (Wendie).
Jay’s and Marilyn’s family of 180 (and growing) includes 33 grandchildren, 104 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Jay is survived by his sister Norma Bench and was preceded in death by his eternal companion Marilyn, their son Jay R. and daughter-in-law Shauna, his parents and nine siblings.
As a proud member of the United States military, Jay was accompanied by Marilyn and his children on his tours of duty in the U. S. Army while stationed in the United States and Europe. He served in combat in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and during his 27 years of Army service was promoted to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.
Jay was awarded medals, commendations and citations for his leadership in battle and his personal heroism. These include the Bronze Star w/V Device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/3d Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal w/1st thru 8th Awards, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, United Nations Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Service Medal. At the end of his military career, Jay taught in the ROTC program at Brigham Young University.
Once he retired from the military, he then served for 20 years as the Lindon Storehouse manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then as Regional Manager for the Church’s storehouse system. Jay served faithfully throughout his life in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Above all else, Jay valued family. Jay’s and Marilyn’s greatest joy and priority were teaching and exemplifying principles of faith and happiness to their family. As family patriarch, Jay was always kind, fair, loving, forgiving and charitable. He motivated all he knew to do good and to be better.
The family would like to thank all who have visited and assisted Jay in recent years, including the staff of Horizon Home Health.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Orchard 4th Ward Meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 670 East 800 North, Orem, Utah.
Interment was in the Orem City Cemetery. Condolences maybe sent to the family at http://www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com
