Ronald Rigsby (26 Feb 1938 - 20 Sep 2023)

In loving memory of Ronald Rigsby who sadly passed away on 20th September 2023

Ron never got used to being called Dad, I quite often had to shout Ron to get his attention.
But nevertheless, dad he was to me, and for that I will always be thankful. Growing up he was always there whatever the distance, sometimes taking several buses just to see me for the day.
He stepped up, with the loving help of aunts and uncles, to give me a place I could call home when things maternally went bad. Even when my mum moved away without telling dad he still tracked me down and managed to maintain contact with me.

As years went by, I got my opportunity to repay that love by inviting him into my home as his health faltered and he was struggling alone. This did not always go smoothly as two strong minded Welsh people often clash. But I’m sure he appreciated my support over the years as much as I appreciated his.

When I emigrated to Somerset in pursuit of love, dad decided he would come too, even with the option to move closer to his extended family. Finding the right place to live for him was difficult as he gave me such a long tick list, I think even Kirsty and Phil would have struggled on Location Location.

Positively all his heath afflictions were addressed soon after arriving at Somerset, with appointments almost monthly to sort something out. Although he blamed being ill on moving to Somerset, as even the water tasted funny.

Dad settled well in Somerset in a small bungalow with a lovely garden and his always wanted greenhouse and garden shed. His constant companion was his beloved Westie, Milly, who he sadly lost a few years ago. Then came Benji a little rescue who he doted on equally. Dad was a frequent visitor to the local vets most weeks for something or other and we jokingly say the reason Creech vets closed was dad gave them enough to retire on.

Dad loved his food and was devastated when they lost his teeth at Musgrove and all he could eat was soft foods, he used to beg us for pasties and fish and chips which he was unable to eat.

Dad was always a great lover of Amazon every week he would come to me with some magazine and some contraption or other he wanted and say can you find this on amazon. Most of these things were either used once or never saw the light of day or even came out of the packet, but it kept him happy that he had them.

He was also a loving grandfather (Bampi) to his three grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and they all have very fond memories of him.

Becky and Josh particularly remember loving going to visit Bampi, stopping halfway to play in the snow on top of the mountain and nature walks in the summer. They remember always coming home with a bag full of pennies which Bampi had collected for them. A tradition he carried on when moving to Somerset for my younger son Joe, although the coppers changed to silver over the years.

All the grandchildren remember no matter where we went with Bampi the first order of the day was to find a café for his black coffee and a cake. It only seems fitting therefore that after the service we join him one last time in the Coffee Cabin and enjoy a coffee and a cake in his memory.

Dad will be sadly missed, and his ashes will be returned to his beloved Wales to be scattered as only seems fit for a true Welsh man like my dad.