John Wilbur Rigby

John Wilbur Rigby passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026 in Baton Rouge, LA from glioblastoma. His brother Swayze, sister-in-law Joni, and nephew Casey were by his side.  

John was born on February 4, 1949, in Vicksburg, Mississippi and spent many happy years growing up there, participating in church, Boy Scouts, athletics, hunting and fishing. 

 After graduating from H.V. Cooper High School in 1967, he participated in the Cooperative Education Program at Mississippi State University working alternate semesters as an intern at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1973. He was an active member of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity and later obtained professional engineering licenses in Mississippi and Georgia. 

Following college, John spent several years as an engineer with the Mississippi Highway Dept (now MDOT) and then returned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advancing to the Savannah District in 1976 until retirement in 2009. He displayed exemplary expertise and leadership on critical infrastructure projects in dredging harbors, rehabilitating locks & dams, various environmental remediations including Civil Works Programs, Military Project Mgt, Environmental Project Mgt earning him the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service. 

Most importantly, John was a faithful Christian, never knowing a stranger when sharing the Gospel. He served on mission trips to Haiti, marched in Washington D.C. to help protect the unborn, was a member and Chaplain of the Gideon’s International Savannah South Camp, served as a deacon in the Independent Presbyterian Church of Savannah, and was active at Grace Church of the Islands Presbyterian Church.  

He was also a member of the Chatham County Republican Party as well as a past member of Toastmasters. He had the ability to talk with anyone as a Southern Gentleman and had an amazing ability to describe in detail his younger years, down to the minute detail of the color of clothes friends wore.  These unique stories will be sorely missed. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Adolphus Rigby and Alice Swayze Rigby, sister-in-law Debra Alcarese Rigby, and nephew, Gabriel Lawson Rigby.  

He is survived by brothers, Richard Hugh Rigby (Barbara) of Sugar Land TX, Dr. Carl Swayze Rigby (Joni) of Baton Rouge LA, William Lawson Rigby of Brandon MS, and sister Betty Jane Giles (Edward) of Roswell GA, along with many nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews.  

The family thanks Hospice of Baton Rouge, Quality Care Sitter Service, and especially his caregiver Daisy Mae Banks. We are also indebted to John’s friends in Savannah who watched over him like guardian angels. We are especially thankful to our brother Swayze, his wife Joni, and their extended family who have shown unconditional love and care for John. 

Pallbearers will be John’s nephews Chad Rigby, Boyce Rigby, Carter Rigby, Casey Rigby, Richard Rigby, and Hunter Giles. 

Visitation will be at First Presbyterian Church in Ward Hall, 1501 Cherry St, Vicksburg, MS at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026. A memorial celebration will begin at 2:00 p.m. Afterward, a graveside service will be at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery, 191 Highway 80, Vicksburg. 

There will be an additional memorial service held in Savannah at Grace Church of the Islands Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to: The Gideons International at www.gideons.org or call (615) 564-5277 First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg at www.fpcvicksburg.org or mail check Grace Church of the Islands PCA at www.gcipca.org 

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