Jack Riggs

Jack Wallace Riggs

September 12, 1935 - April 8, 2025

Jack Wallace Riggs, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2025, in Gilbert, Arizona, at the age of 89. Born in Winslow, Arizona, on September 12, 1935, Jack was the last male descendant of the OW Ranch and the legendary Hashknife brand. He was preceded in death by his cherished wife of 60 years, Patricia Riggs.

Jack's story is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape and rich history of Arizona. As a young boy, he spent his early years on the OW Cattle Ranch in Upper Canyon Creek, nestled along the Mogollon Rim. The ranch, acquired by his grandfather Frank Wallace in 1897 from the Aztec Cattle Co., was the foundation of Jack's lifelong connection to ranching and cowboy life.

His childhood was one of adventure and responsibility. Growing up around the Riggs Store & Trading Post in Chambers, Arizona, Jack learned the value of hard work and community early. One of his fondest memories was riding on horseback to meet the train and exchange the mailbag-a moment that symbolized both his independence and his bond to the land.

Jack attended school in Chambers alongside Navajo children, learning to speak their language and sharing a childhood full of freedom, roaming, and riding across the Arizona plains.

At just 10 years old, the tragic accidental death of his father changed his life's course, leading him and his mother to Tucson. Yet his heart remained tied to Holbrook, where he returned each summer to work cattle and stay connected to family. As a teenager, he proudly rode in the second annual Hashknife Pony Express Run, delivering mail on horseback with the Hashknife Posse. He later attended the University of Arizona, where he studied Agriculture and was a proud member of the rodeo team.

Jack met the love of his life, Patricia, in Holbrook. The two married in Las Vegas in 1957 and settled in Tucson, where they began building their family. Known for his tireless work ethic, Jack juggled multiple jobs to provide for his family, moving across Arizona as new opportunities arose.

A position with White Chemical Co. in Marana became the gateway to a long and successful career in agriculture, specializing in pesticides and crop protection. This journey eventually led Jack and his family to Gilbert, Arizona, where his passion for ranch life endured. He became President of the Chandler Sheriff's Posse, co-founded the Gilbert Promotional Corporation, and spent countless joyful hours jackpot roping alongside his son. He was an avid fisherman.

Later in his career, Jack's path came full circle when he accepted a role managing the Navajo Agricultural Farm (NAPI) in Farmington, New Mexico. It was here he reunited with a childhood friend from Chambers and was honored as an honorary member of the Navajo Nation for his dedication to the community.

Even after retirement, Jack remained active, going on to work alongside his son at Native Environmental, a role that filled him with pride. It wasn't until the age of 79 that he finally, truly, retired. Though he no longer rode, his love for western life never faded, and he continued attending ropings and events.

Following the passing of his beloved wife, Jack moved to New Hampshire to be near his daughter, where he found peace in gardening, wildlife, and the abundance of lakes. At 85, with his trademark independence, he drove himself cross-country back to Arizona, where he spent his final years surrounded by a close-knit community of friends who brought him great joy.

Jack was a man of grit and quiet depth - rugged and gruff on the outside, but endlessly devoted to his family. Though he remained humbly unaware of the role his life and lineage played in the enduring story of the American West, his legacy is woven deeply into its history.

The "gate" is open, Dad. Your entry fees to Heaven have been paid. Ride fast and free. You are home. You are loved.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Melody Mackey (Greg) of Northwood, New Hampshire; his son, Jon Riggs (Kimberly) of Queen Creek, Arizona; eight grandchildren: Nicole Bernal, Blu Bernal, Blake Bernal, Jarryd Gauman (Brooke), Jace Riggs, Sophia Riggs, Mable Mackey, and Wyatt Mackey; and eleven great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, Arizona.