Edward Eugene Riggins

Eddie Riggins was born August 26, 1962, in Denver, Colorado. His parents were Virginia Riggins Strickland and stepfather Huey Edward Strickland. Eddie was the oldest of five siblings: Denver Mendenhall (deceased), Mary Ann Adams, Leigh Esau, and Sheila Stewart. Eddie grew up primarily in southeast Colorado near the towns of Lamar and La Junta but he was orphaned at a young age.

His late grade school and middle school years (1973-1977) were spent at the Boys Ranch near La Junta. In his own words, “It was the best place I ever lived, it showed me I was somebody and that I could be anybody. We were blessed to have the Boys Ranch back then.”

Eddie attended Lamar High School and played many sports, especially football, wrestling, swimming, and diving. Eddie enjoyed his formative years in Lamar and often returned for Lamar Days and the homecoming football game.

Eddie joined the armed forces after high school and became a soldier in the Army’s 1st Armored Division, nicknamed "Old Ironsides". He was stationed in Germany, serving from 1981-1983. Eddie had many adventures in Germany when off duty. Eddie had been engaged to be married to a German woman, but then sadly experienced his fiancé dying in an accident that broke his heart.

Eddie returned to the States in 1983 settling in Boulder. Early in his time in Boulder, he came to follow Jesus as his Savior, and this would mark his life thereafter. He attended the Boulder Vineyard Church during his time there and became close friends in 1984 with many brothers and sisters in the Lord who were part of Hillside Fellowship, including Mark and Amy Sares, Matt Sares numerous others while attending a Bible study at the Young Life house on the “Hill.”

Soon after his Boulder years, Eddie became a trained truck driver, driving “big rigs” across the country. He moved to the Denver area but was most often on the road. He took his truck driving career seriously and safety always came first! It was not unusual to get a call from Eddie in various far-flung locations around the country. Even though he was on the road, he maintained his friendships with many people and would be at church when home in Denver. Eddie’s life is characterized by his seeking out family, after having been raised in over twenty different foster homes growing up. By the grace of God, he met many brothers and sisters over the years and was a tireless communicator and friend to so many people. He showed love to and remained a steadfast friend by phone calls, email, and Facebook. He truly took an interest in what we, his friends, and even “our” extended families were up to.

Eddie attended several churches over the years, notably Southeast Vineyard, Aurora Vineyard, and most recently BridgeWay Church Denver. Eddie often volunteered to open the doors for those arriving at church as people gathered for the service. Though he was a big burly truck driver, Eddie had an artistic bent. Making beaded earrings as gifts for his friends (and for sale). One of his passions was performing in the Denver Passion Play year after year, for 35 years, in which he combined the brash burliness of a truck driver with the gruff scourging of a Roman soldier!

After a long illness, Eddie died peacefully with friends gathered around at Swedish Hospital in Englewood, CO. Even during this time, he was more concerned about others than he was himself, always giving friends a fist-bump and asking how they were doing. It is assured that he has heard the words, “Well done good and faithful servant” from his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.