Bobby Lee Rigney (“Bob – Dad - Papa”) was born January 1, 1951, in Clovis, New Mexico, to Loy and Dorothy Rigney. Bob grew up and attended school in Lazbuddie, Texas, and Satana, Kansas.
In November 1969, he married Connie Sue Livingood. From this union, two children were born: Bobby Rigney Jr. and Dorena Sue (Rigney) Harris. Bob and Connie eventually divorced.
Bob later married Jaqueatta Jane (Simpson) Johnson on his 34th birthday in 1985. From this marriage, Bob gained three bonus children: Shawn Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, and Jaqueatta Johnson. Bob wanted everyone to know that he never referred to them as “step” children, and with equal compassion and respect, the children referred to him as “Dad.”
In January 2015, 30-years after marrying Jaqueatta, Bob renewed his vows, love, and commitment to his soulmate.
Bob was a remarkable, loving, kind, caring, and hardwork-ing man who greatly enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He played an instrumental role in teaching his family valuable ethics, which will certainly be cultivated for generations to come.
Bob’s work history includes being a longhaul truck driver, working for feedlots, various oil field companies, driving a mail truck, and working as a mechanic for Custer County Dist. #1 for 20+ years, and for Charlie Pool at Charlie’s Transmission Shop for 15+ years. Additionally, Bob owned a lawn care service and offered mechanic services.
Bob’s hobbies included fishing, boating, hunting, playing in the water with his grandkids, watching westerns, building, refurbishing, and relocating things. He had the innate ability to craft things out of iron and wood that would help him accomplish his many missions and goals.
After many years of fighting strenuous health issues, Bob was called to his heavenly home during the early morning hours of Sunday March 17, 2024.
He is survived by his wife of 39-years, Jaqueatta (Simpson, Johnson) Rigney (“Nana”) of Clinton. Four children: Shawn (Johnson) Dawson of Clinton, Ronnie Johnson and wife Angela of Clinton, Jaqueatta (Johnson) and husband Brandon Boatright of Thomas, and Bobby Rigney Jr. of Ardmore. One sister-inlaw Leona (Simpson) Lane of Altus, and one brother-in-law Jim Simpson and wife Jean (Taylor) of Butler. 23 grandchildren: Matthew Dawson of Clinton, Michelle Dawson (“Brat”) and companion Justin Otto of Clinton, Kevin Johnson and wife Tresa (LaRance) of Mustang, Harley (Cummings) and husband Robert Nelson of Foley, AL, Talesa (Lane) and husband Michael Caserta of Altus, Austin Boatright of Thomas, Dakota Boatright of Thomas, Alexis (Boatright) and husband Craig Johnson of Abilene, KS, Ryan and Karleigh Nelson of Clinton, Alison Nelson and fiancé Tanner Morawski of Fairview, Kari Johnson and companion Tyler Lange of Cordell, Donna (Johnson) and husband Chad Spencer of Cordell, Brandon Robinson of Clinton, Casey Robinson of Muskogee, Chris Robinson of Lawton, Steven Lane of Altus, Ryan Lane of Altus, and Rainy (Rigney) and husband Matt Blackston of Custer City. The following grandchildren are located in the Wichita Falls area, Kourtney Rigney and fiancé Harold Thomason, Dakota Rigney, Autumn Rigney, Brianna (Eden) and Earnie Pitts, Justin Feighner, and Skylarr Anderson. 49 greatgrandchildren (two more on the way), and one great-greatgrandchild Oakleigh Nelson (and another on the way). As well as a host of other family members and friends.
Sadly, he is preceded in death by one daughter, Dorena (Rigney) Harris, both parents, Loy and Dorothy Rigney, Sister Mary Faye Smith, brother Loy Davis Rigney, sisterin- law Linell (Foster) Rigney, son-in-law Jeremy Dawson, sonin- law Wayne Lawson, brother-in-law Frankie Lane, grandchild Kayla Beth Johnson, two greatgrandchildren, Luke Wade Johnson, and Baby Johnson/Herndon; plus, many more friends and family.
In closing, the family says, “We will always love you. You will forever live in our hearts. Thank you for the love and memories you gave us. We will cherish them until we see you again.”
There will be a casual come and go celebration of life held March 30, 2024, between 12pm and 2pm at the residence of Bob and Jaqueatta for family and friends to pay respects.