Charles G. Riggs

Charles Guy Riggs, was born September 9, 1948 in Puyallup, Washington to Claude A. Riggs and Lodema P. Simmons. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from Thomas Edison High School with the class of 1968. In January of 1969, He joined the U.S. Army and went to basic training at Ft. Polk, LA. Then entered Warrant Officer Helicopter training. Afterwards, he served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and based at Pleikle in two corps. He returned to the United States and was assigned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina still as a pilot. He was then sent to Pakistan on a title wave relief operation. Charles was discharged from the U.S. Army April 1, 1971. He retired to Tulsa and joined the Army Reserves in Bartlesville, Oklahoma into the CID as a criminal investigator. 10 years later he transferred into the Oklahoma National Guard as a helicopter pilot. He retired from his military service after 27 years. Also, he achieved instrument qualification in helicopter night vision goggles. He worked with his dad in the upholstery business and also started college at TTCU. He transferred to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Charles worked as a security patrol business around the Tenkiller Lake area. In 1980 he joined the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as a case manager and served 24 years at the McAlester, Tulsa and Muskogee offices. He was promoted during that time as Administration Officer. Charles served as a reintegration specialist where he conducted and managed a drug and alcohol deliverance ministry in several Oklahoma Prisons, after graduating from Rhema Bible College as a member of the clergy. Along the way he also obtained his Real Estate License that allowed him to by many rental properties that are managed to this day. Also served as a Tulsa Auxiliary Police Officer after obtaining a handgun carry license. He retired from the department of corrections in 2005 and received SSD, Military Retirement and disability. He bought land and got into the cattle business. He married Susan Cleary December 5, 2009 at the ripe old age of 61 and lived his final days at 7101 Old Taft Rd Muskogee, OK 74401. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Ladema Riggs; and stepmother, Freda Riggs. Charles is survived by his wife, Susan of Muskogee, Ok; brother, Mike Riggs of Keller, TX; and sister Michele Searcy of Bixby, OK. His family will greet friends 2-4PM, Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ Cornerstone Funeral Home. A celebration of Charles’ life will be 11Am, Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with Rev. Donnie Echols officiating.

Charles G. Riggs

September 9, 1948 - March 18, 2026