Everett "Red" Leslie Rigel Jr.

Everett Leslie "Red" Rigel Jr., 89, of Quaker City, died Tuesday (October 28, 2014) at his home. He was born July 5, 1925 in Quaker City, son of the late Everett Leslie Rigel Sr. and Harriet Irene (Carter) Rigel - who owned and operated Rigel's Restaurant in the town. He graduated in 1943 from Quaker City High School, where he played trombone in the band and was a player on the Quakers basketball team that won a thrilling underdog tournament victory against the Dresden Jay-Hawks. Red was stationed in the Solomon and Philippine Islands as a US Navy Seabee (CBMU 568) from October 1943 through February 1946. He graduated with a B.A. from Kent State University in 1949 and earned an M.A. from West Virginia University in 1965. He taught history and was a basketball coach at Madison Consolidate High School from 1949-1964, where he led one Eagles team to victory in the Guernsey County tournament. He was superintendent there from 1964-1968. He taught and coached basketball at Barnesville High School from 1968-1976, and retired there as a teacher in 1978. He was a member of the Quaker City United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was a board member and lay leader for many years. He was a member of the Friends Cemetery board, the American Legion (Earl Conner Post 337), and the VFW Post 05169. Red was a member of the Cambridge Singers for many years and loved to sing duets for the annual spring shows with his wife, Mary Ann, whom he married on December 21, 1946. In 1988, the Singers created the Rigel Award to honor Red and Mary Ann for enriching the community through their unselfish dedication to music. Every year, the Rigel Award is given to an individual in the area who has promoted the enjoyment of music. Red loved telling stories and tracing the genealogy of people from the area. He enjoyed reading and watching sports. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and infectious laugh. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann (Eberle) Rigel, who died November 15, 2012. He is survived by three daughters, Beth (& Gary) Daugherty of Columbus, Sue (& Ray) Rodi of Moreno Valley CA, and Jane Royse of Quaker City; two grandsons, Brandan Bamfield and Alan Doll; a great-granddaughter, Naysa Bamfield; a cousin, Ruth Wood; and two adopted grandchildren, Kathy Pattison and Jim Whitehair. Visitation will be held Saturday (November 1, 2014) from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Quaker City, where funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. with Rev. Allan Teter officiating. Burial will follow at Friends Cemetery, Quaker City, with military graveside honors conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council.