Loving husband, dad, pappy, brother, and friend to all, Terry Glenn Riggs, was welcomed into the gates of Heaven on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Terry passed away after a very short illness at his home in East Liverpool, surrounded by his loving family. He was 65.
Born June 12, 1960, in Weirton, WV, he was the son of the late Glenn Riggs and Gloria Gable Riggs Six and was a 1978 graduate of Oak Glen High School. A hard worker by nature, he soon took a job in the I&T Department at the Bruce Mansfield plant with First Energy, retiring 37 years later as Maintenance Planner at the nuclear plant. In recent years, he had been a Maintenance Supervisor at Kent State University, East Liverpool campus.
There was really very little he couldn’t do (except maybe to tell someone ‘no’). He was, quite simply, the strength of his family. Even when working long hours and various shifts over the years, he’d often stop on his way home to help a friend with auto repairs or home projects. He loved restoring and driving old cars, especially his ’71 Chevelle hot rod. A member of the Elks Lodge #258, Terry enjoyed going to car shows, shooting pistols, and riding motorcycles. A lifelong learner, he took an interest in mechanics, machinery, and the way things worked. But through it all, the underlying theme of his life was putting his family first, always ensuring they had everything they needed or wanted. Whether he was assisting Debbie with one of the many projects she was into…. or pitching in at his son Brian’s business… or doing remodeling work at his son Nate’s home… he always made sure his family felt loved and supported.
Terry was raised in a loving Christian home and was a member of the First Christian Church in Chester since he was a teenager. He regularly attended Northside Community Church and leaned on his faith during the difficult times of his life. That faith never wavered, even in the face of his brief but aggressive illness. He was a tough guy on the outside, but those who knew him best will remember his soft heart and tender spirit. He could just as easily play “Pretty Pretty Princess” with his granddaughters as he could ride into the sunset on the custom Harley Davidson chopper he built himself. He took great joy in the times spent at the park eating ice cream with the kids, or cheering at one of their soccer games, which he never missed. Terry was looking forward to Debbie‘s retirement so the two of them could spend more time doing the things they loved — traveling in their new camper, visiting friends and family, and enjoying life together.
He is survived at home by his wife, Debbie Dawson Riggs, whom he married on June 12, 1981. They were the very proud parents of their two sons: Brian Riggs and his wife, Emily, and their children Barlow, Zola, Bayla, Sebastian, and Finnigan; and Nathan Riggs and his wife, Kaylyn, and their son Colt, all of East Liverpool. Terry leaves behind his brother, Scott Riggs, and his wife, Renee; his sister, Sandra Loar, and her husband, Gary; and numerous nieces and nephews. Terry was also extremely close with Debbie’s siblings, Dan (Lisa) Dawson, Kim (Mike DiLoreto), Amy (Troy Graft), David Dawson, Doug (Trish Yaden) Dawson, and their families; he was at the center of any and all get-togethers and was everyone’s “go-to” guy. He also leaves behind many wonderful, lifelong friends. Preceding him in death were his sister, Bonnie Lee, nephew, Christian Riggs, stepfather, Lester Six, and brother-in-law, Steve (BUBS) Dawson.
The immensity of his loss is vast and immeasurable — he touched so many lives that his influence will be deeply felt for generations to come.
Pastor Larry Rose will conduct a funeral service at Northside Community Church on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-4:00 pm at the church prior to the service. Following the service, family and friends will take Terry on one last car cruise. Anyone who would like to join is welcome.
From the bottom of their hearts, the family thanks you for the love, support, prayers, and kindness shown to Terry over the last several weeks. Please, in lieu of flowers, they respectfully ask that contributions in Terry’s memory be made to help support youth in the local community through Lincoln Way Sports Complex, 14533 East Liverpool Road, East Liverpool, OH 43920, his “home away from home”.
