Clifton Leon “Cliff” Riggs Sr., 85, Hays, died Saturday, January 29, 2022, at the Hays Good Samaritan Center. He was born October 26, 1936, in Dennison, Texas the son of Corine (West) Riggs-Branch.
Cliff graduated from Yuba, Oklahoma, High School in 1955 and was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army serving with the second battalion, 180th infantry. He was a salesman for Tennison Brothers for many years, serving his customers’ needs for quality building products across six states. On July 6, 1963, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Brungardt at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the third-degree Knights of Columbus council #6984, the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the Hays American Legion, and the Ellis Golf Course. He enjoyed golfing with friends and couples golf, building and fixing golf clubs, and was an excellent handyman, able to fix almost anything for friends and family. He possessed a beautiful voice and passion for singing at a young age and that matured into singing for numerous weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and masses at his church. In addition to being an avid KU Basketball fan, Cliff was honest, hardworking, and a true man of integrity who loved his family and especially loved his grandchildren, giving them horsey rides, playing Santa at Christmas, and taking them fishing.
Survivors include his wife Mary, of Hays, three sons: Jeffrey Riggs of Wichita, Clifton Riggs, Jr. and wife Ramona of Hutchinson, and Cory Riggs of Tulsa, OK, a daughter: Michelle Whitlow of Oklahoma City, two brothers: Jack Branch and wife Cynthia of Salinas, CA and Roy Newman Branch and wife Vickie of Hendrix, OK, eleven grandchildren: Justin Riggs and wife Darcie, Aaron Riggs, Clifton Riggs, III and wife Sara, Dominic Riggs, Charles Whitlow, Corine Cammack and husband Dillon, Taylor Riggs, Sara Riggs, Ashley Riggs, Samantha Riggs, and Alley Riggs, eight great grandchildren: Atlas, Iris, Margot, Tre, Zeke, Braxton, Avyana, and Matthew, and one on the way in April.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Corine Branch, and a great grandson, Corbin Michael Whitlow.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Inurnment will follow with military honors by the Hays VFW #9076 Honor Guard in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday, February 11, 2022, at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9:00 am until service time at the church. A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm on Friday followed by a combined third and fourth-degree Knights of Columbus rosary.
Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church building fund. Condolences and memories of Cliff may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com