Michael (Mike) Hall Rigsby

Michael (Mike) Hall Rigsby passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-six on Wednesday, the 2nd of March 2022 surrounded by his family.  He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 18th of December 1935 and was reared there until he and his family moved to Houma, Louisiana in late 1949.  Mike graduated from Terrebonne High School in 1953.  After graduation, he worked in the body repair shop of a local DeSoto-Plymouth automobile dealership until obtaining work with Patterson Truck Line of Houma as an accounting clerk.  In January 1954, he began a three-year tour in the United States Marine Corps as a bandsman at San Diego, California, attaining the rank of Sergeant.  Not only was he an excellent bandsman, Mike was an Expert Rifleman.  He was always a faithful Marine.

After his military service, Mike worked for Mud Supply Company, a division of Dresser-Magcobar in Houma while attending Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.  He earned his BA in 1960 and began teaching in Terrebonne Parish schools and ten years later earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Nicholls State.  His tenure in Terrebonne Parish schools included teaching at the elementary and junior high levels.  Mike retired from Terrebonne Parish schools in 1986 after spending the last ten years as a guidance counselor, first at Terrebonne High School and then at H. L. Bourgeois High School.

On May 30, 1959, Mike married Carolyn Harriet Erwin of Franklinton, Louisiana.  During their nearly 63-year marriage, they enjoyed many good times.  Early on Mike obtained his pilot’s license and then he and Carolyn became airplane owners for four years.  After their daughter Laura was born, most summers were spent on road trips to the western United States.  Trips included the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Las Vegas.  In the late 1970s they became owners of a 1939 Packard Six Coupe and that began many adventures of restoration and very active membership in Lone Star Packards and Packard Automobile Classics.  Mike and Carolyn took many trips around the country to various antique car functions.  Other activities and active memberships included the National Rifle Association, First United Methodist Church of Houma, and St. Martin’s Episcopal Church of Houston.

In 1987, Mike and Carolyn moved to the Clear Lake area of Houston and both resumed teaching in 1988 for Pasadena Independent School District.  He proudly taught English and English as a second language at the elementary and intermediate grades and retired in 2009.  In retirement, he enjoyed his life-long passion of reading, mainly Civil War or World War II material, working on his antique cars, researching family genealogy, and supporting Texas A&M Aggie and LSU Tiger football teams.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Millard Hixon Rigsby and Alice Lucille Peebles Rigsby, and his brother, William P. Rigsby.  Mike is survived by his wife, Carolyn, daughter Laura Boyd and her husband Ronald J. (Ronny), grandson Bryan J. Boyd, granddaughter, Kathryn E. Boyd, step-granddaughter, Melissa M. Boyd, and step-great-granddaughter, Taya Boyd.  We will miss him greatly, as will his faithful Maltese, Patience.

A visitation will be at 2:00 PM with a memorial service following at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, March 8th at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 East Medical Center Blvd., Webster, Texas. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster.  If desired, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Houston SPCA or to the charity of one’s choice.

Semper Fi

9 comments

  1. We were so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. Wishing you and your family strength and peace. Mike will be missed at Lone Star Packards and Packard Antique Classics. Please let Me or Janice know if you need help with anything.

    Ben & Janice Carter
  2. I am very sorry to hear that Mr. Rigsby has passed away. I taught in Pasadena when he did and he was an exceptional teacher and was respected by all. I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family.

    Beth Landry
  3. I am sorry to hear about Mr. Rigsby’s passing. I hope and pray for strength for the family during this difficult time. Laura’s Texas City family will be behind her, please let us know if anything is needed.

    Garrett McLeod
  4. I am sorry to hear that Mr. Rigsby has passed. Wishing for strength and peace for the family, and friends. Laura’s Texas City family is here to support. Please let us know if there is anything that is needed.

    Robert Turner
  5. Sending lots of love and support to the family.

    Jennifer Price
  6. It seems like Mr. Rigsby filled every minute of his life with “60 seconds worth of distance run.” May God comfort and strengthen you during this time, is my prayer.

    Mayor Dedrick Johnson
  7. Uncle Mike,

    You were probably my favorite uncle. You had a corny sense of humor and told a lot of the same stories every time I saw you, but that was okay. I enjoyed growing and getting to spend time with you and the family. Those were fond images of my youth that will always be cherished. Thank you so much for the eulogy you did for my dad’s memorial service. I will always remember you.

    Your nephew Ben

    William Benjamin Rigsby
  8. Very sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts are with you.

    Justin Herter
  9. Dear Mrs. Rigsby,

    First off, I would like to express my condolences for your loss. There are no words that can express our sorrows when the world has lost a fine educator and great human being.

    My name is Daina Taylor, a retired 2nd grade teacher and a devout Methodist, currently a part time school librarian, from Carlsbad, NM. My husband, Clint Taylor, born and raised in Midland TX, bought Mr. Rigsby’s 1955 Packard 400 last month and the car was arrived yesterday. I wish I could describe the excitement and joy this car has brought to Clint’s life. It is his 2nd Packard (the first is a 1950 Super 8.) Like Mr. Rigsby, Clint loves antique cars and especially Packards and would like to go to Lone Star Packards show next year to meet with other Packard enthusiasts. Clint has appreciated and been amazed all the restorations that Mr. Rigsby had done to the car. After reading the paperwork that documented in detail on your car, it encouraged me to look for you so I can say thank you. I also want to assure you that you have found a good home for Mr. Rigsby’s 1955 Packard 400. We will treasure it and take a good care of it as long as we can.

    I hope we will cross pass with each other one day in Houston since my son and my sister live in Houston. My nephew is a proud high school teacher graduated from Texas A & M.

    Take care and may God be with you always,

    Respectfully,

    Daina Taylor

    Daina Taylor

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