Mr. Oscar "OJ" Rigdon Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Oscar J (OJ) Rigdon, 81 of Lehigh Acres, Florida passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 18, 1940, to the late Oscar Washington Rigdon and Byrdie Lee Mobley. He was the only son of eight children. He attended schools in Fort Myers and at the age of 17 enlisted in the Marine Corps. Early in his Marine career he was introduced to the love of his life and future wife, Shirley Ann Griffin. They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on August 25th. Together they raised their family in the Marine Corps residing on many bases across the United States. OJ Served 23 years of distinguished service as a Marine, holding positions as a Bus Driver, Master Machinist, Master Instructor and Ordnance Chief. He retired in 1980. During his time in the service, he was deployed globally to Australia, Cape Town South Africa, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Okinawa Japan. OJ served during the Vietnam War. After retiring, OJ moved his family to Pittsfield where he was employed as a machinist for General Electric and Data Flute. He also worked at England Brothers and Dwyer Funeral Home. OJ enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing the guitar, coaching baseball, softball, and football. He loved mowing his lawn, soft serve ice cream and of course, sweet tea. He considered family time, precious time. OJ was known for his great faith, never missing an opportunity to share God’s word with friends, an acquaintance or even a stranger. He wanted everyone he met to know they could experience the same love, joy, and peace that he does by knowing Jesus. OJ is survived by his wife and their children, Virginia (Gini) Marauszwski, Colleen O’Brien (Mark) and Jay Rigdon (Teresa), his sisters Myra Rigdon, Ola Mae Kirkland (Henry), Shirley Rene Carmona and Debra Artille. He also leaves 14 grandchildren, Christian Rigdon, Seamus and Patrick Morrison, Jonathan May, Joshua Marauszwski, James, Adam and Jacob O’Brien, Michael and Breonna Rigdon, Gianna Geary, Dylan, Jayce and Giovanni Rigdon as well as 6 great grandchildren, Wesley, Victoria, Everett, Brooke, Siena and Brodi, and his mother-in-law Virginia Victoria Griffin. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Myrtis Long, Massie Wallace and Violet Davis. Funeral Notice: The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, August 20, 2021 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home, 220 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. A Service with full military honors will be held outdoors at the Unity Terrace of the Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home at 5:30 pm. To best ensure everybody's health, due to the recent rise of Covid cases, all attending these services will be required to wear a face mask. To view a live webcast of this service, please visit http://www.dwyerfuneral.com/obituaries/permalink/10088359/LTWebcast . Burial will take place at a later date. To best ensure everybody’s health, due to the recent rise in Covid cases, all attending these services will be required to wear a face mask. In lieu of flowers OJ requested that donations be made to The Marine Corps League to help support veterans and their families in need. Donations CANNOT be made online, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. Oscar "OJ" Rigdon

June 18, 1940 - July 29, 2021