Obituary of Marion Keith Rigdon

Marion Keith Rigdon May 10, 1933 - October 15, 2015 Marion Keith Rigdon, age 82, of Coffeyville, passed away peacefully with family at his side in his home on October 15, 2015. Keith was born in Dewey, Oklahoma on May 10, 1933 to Frank and Waneta Rigdon. He moved with his family to Caney, Kansas where he completed high school in 1951. He graduated from Coffeyville Community College in 1953 and began his service in the U.S. Army until 1955. He married Sonya Ann Perkins, the love of his life, in 1955 at the Tyro Methodist Church and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. While starting his family and working for Purina in Caney, Keith continued his education, graduating from Tulsa University with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1960. He became the office manager at Sherwin Williams Smelter in Coffeyville, where he worked for 25 years. Keith was involved many years in Busy Band 4-H Club as a leader and also served as the treasurer of the Red Cross. He was an active member as well as a Sunday school teacher at the First United Methodist Church of Coffeyville. He had served in the past as a member of the Montgomery County Extension Council and as a board member of the Cedar Bluff School District. He loved all things family, relishing his family camping vacations and his biggest joy was participating in his children's and his grandchildren's activities. He was an avid gardener and passed his skills on to his dear wife Sonya. He was a man of strong character and selfless devotion who shared his strengths with family and friends throughout his life. Keith's laughter, work ethic, and words of wisdom will be sorely missed. Keith is survived by his wife Sonya of the home; daughter Sherry Mitchell and her husband Dean of Liberty, Kansas; son Kent Rigdon and his wife Jill of Linwood, Kansas; daughter-in-law Michelle Rigdon of Wann, Oklahoma; sisters Beverly Halligan, Norma Russell and Delores Miller; grandchildren Marcy Mitchell, Matthew and Amanda Mitchell, Adam Rigdon, Alec Rigdon, Erin Rigdon and Natalie Rigdon; great-granddaughter Madison Mitchell and one great grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Allen Rigdon, and his two brothers Dean Rigdon and Glenn Rigdon. A memorial service celebrating Keith's life will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville under the direction of the David Barnes Funeral Home with Pastor Nichole Schwartz and Chaplain Mike Graham officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Memorials in Keith's honor can be made payable to the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville, Kansas these contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.