Donald Lee Rigdon

A Celebration of Life for Donald Lee Rigdon will be held January 26, 2022, at 2:30 pm at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home. Burial will be at National Memorial Cemetery of Phoenix AZ. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Donald Lee Rigdon of Meridian Mississippi passed away suddenly on January 20, 2022.

He was born in Meridian Mississippi, and grew up in Collinsville, Mississippi. After graduating Valedictorian from West Lauderdale high school, he attended two years of college before enlisting in the United States Air Force. In the "summer of 69" he met Gayle VanDevender who he immediately knew was "The ONE." They were married in 1972. In 1975 they moved to Arizona where Donald joined the Arizona Air National Guard where he was a member of the 161st ARW. In 1976 they had a beautiful baby girl.

During his time in the Arizona Air National Guard, he traveled the world, coincidentally ending up wherever his beloved Sun Devils were playing. After 38 years of service, Donald retired as a MSSGT.

He felt his greatest accomplishments were being a devoted husband, loving daddy, and doting PawPaw. He was a true patriot!

He is survived by his wife, of almost 50 years, Gayle, daughter Stacy Rigdon and grandson Ethan Jackson of Mesa Arizona, two brothers Wayne (Carol) and Dennis (Teresa), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as all his friends at the Guard.

He is preceded in death by his parents Odis and Mildred (Chappelle) Rigdon, and nephew Christopher Rigdon.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the American Heart Association.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm at the funeral home prior to service.