Thomas David Riggleman

Arlington, Texas - A memorial for Tom and Dee Riggleman will take place Friday, July 29, at 10:00 a.m. at Advent Lutheran Church, 3232 S. Cooper St., in Arlington, TX. Tom and his wife Dee were members of that church for nearly 40 years. They participated in many ministries including Tom serving as a Stephen Minister.

Tom passed away near the beginning of the pandemic on April 2, 2020, one day shy of his 94th birthday. He was born on April 3, 1926 near Barberton, OH. After graduating from high school he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard the destroyer, the U.S.S. McGowan. His ship would see intense fighting in the Pacific. Tom would later be active in the Tin Can Sailors of Texas where he served in many offices, including president. This organization is made up of those who served on destroyers.

Following the Navy he attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1951. His first job out of college was in Johnstown, PA at Bethlehem Steel Corp. While in Johnstown, he met Dolores (Dee) Ciaramidaro. They married in 1955 and would go on to have three children, David, Gretchen, and Philip. Gretchen would pass away on October 20, 2008 at 47 after a battle with cancer.

Though holding a Civil Engineering degree, most of Tom's career would be in industrial management. He and his wife, Dee, would live in Arlington, TX for 38 years. Dee would pass away four months following Tom on August 3, 2020.

Tom is survived by his son David of Las Vegas, NV, David's wife, Lisa, and their children, Gillan and Tom Riggleman, the grandchildren of Tom and Dee; son Philip Riggleman of Dallas; son-in-law Craig Ryason of Grapevine, his wife Holly, and his sons, Ron and Philip Ryason, also grandchildren of Tom and Dee; family member Chuck Bokros of Fort Worth; nephew Gil Orr of Ohio, his wife, Sue, and their sons Doug and Greg Orr.