IN MEMORY OF RANDOLPH “Randy” WYTHE RIGNEY, JR

October 3,1932 – December 18, 2022

RANDOLPH WYTHE RIGNEY JR, “Randy” 90, of Port Richey, FL, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, December 18, 2022. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family, at Marliere Hospice Care Center.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 3, 1932. He was the son of Randolph Wythe Rigney, Sr and Cecilia May Sprouse. Randy is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Patricia Anne Rigney and 6 children, Catherine (Ken) Budinger of Cincinnati, OH; Shreve Jeffers (Chris Szabo) of Port Richey, FL; Randolph (Liliana) Rigney, III of Orangeburg, SC; Debra (Jimmie) George, of New Port Richey, FL; Darcy Sutherland, of Palm Springs, CA; Ronald (Margaret) Ackley, of Aulander, NC; Sister Janet (Ken) Mallicote, of New Bern, NC; 15 wonderful grandchildren, 31 terrific great-grandchildren, 12 amazing great-great-grandchildren. His parents Randolph and Cecilia Rigney; his brother Eugene Sprouse Rigney and his sister Jeannette Rigney Stigile preceded him in death.

As a proud veteran of the Army, Corporal Randolph Rigney Jr served in the Korean War and received the Korean Service Medal w/2 bronze service stars    combat inf badge par 2 – SP 321 HQ 31^st INF regt    19Dec52     United Nations Service Medal. He served in U. S. Army 1951-53 and U.S. Army Reserves 1953-59.

During Randy’s life he had a variety of work-related experiences such as working as a Technician, Engineering Aide, Mechanical Environmental Specialist, Safety Specialist, Foreman, Process Control Specialist, Process Planner and Instructor, just to name a few. Learning something new and different has always been one of his desires and over the years he had taken several courses in electronics, accident investigation, computer-controlled drafting, auto air conditioning, home air conditioning, home electrical wiring, explosive safety, real estate sales and supervision and business management. Many were job related and others were just for the enjoyment of learning and having more knowledge. He started working for General Electric Company in 1960. While working for the General Electric Company in 1971, he was the first person to become a “Certified Engineering Technician”, sponsored by the Society of Professional Engineers. Later he was re-certified as a “Senior Engineering Technician”. There are only a few technicians that have been certified through this organization. Randy continued to work for GE until he retired in 1993 and then moved to Winterville, GA.

During his retirement he enjoyed going camping and traveling through out the United States. His Christian Faith was an essential part of his life and as a Member of the local Church of God; he helped the Pastor with a building project that was in the planning stages. The Pastor put him in charge of the buildings, grounds and as the on-site supervisor for the construction of the new 16,000 square foot multipurpose building.

He volunteered for the American Red Cross as a disaster relief worker and instructor until January 2010. Randy had taken assignments on various jobs like working in New York during the 911 crisis, wildfires in San Diego, CA., and various floods around the country. On the local level he responded to fires, floods and other disasters, providing the basic and immediate needs caused by the disaster like food, shelter and clothing. Randy received several awards like Disaster Relief Hero, and Volunteer of the Year.  After 25 years in Georgia, he returned to Florida due to health reasons.

 Randy’s Favorite quotes: “To God Be The Glory” & “Due to the uncertainty of life, eat your desert first”

Randy’s MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 at 6:00PM

LIGHT OF THE WORLD TABERNACLE, 8114 Leo Kidd Ave, Port Richey, FL, where he was a Member. Pastor Leonard Lord will officiate the service. Light refreshments will be served after the service.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that you dedicate your donation to the Gideon International in memory of “Randy” who loved the Word of God https://www.sendtheword.org/ or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=2529&np=true

Private Interment is at a later date.