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Truman Keller Rigby, Jr.March 20, 1930 ~ Jan. 29, 2013Truman Keller Rigby, Jr., 82, passed away January 29, 2013 at his daughter, Brenda's home after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.The eldest child of Truman Wilford Rigby, Sr. and Lillis May Keller Rigby, Truman was born in a log cabin in Mink Creek, Idaho on March 20, 1930. He was raised on the family ranch in Bern and farm in Wardboro.Truman graduated with honors from Montpelier High School in 1947. He obtained his bachelors and master degrees from Utah State Agricultural College (Utah State University) majoring in elementary education and administration. He held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Army ROTC.While at USAC, he met his eternal companion, Ada Redd of Blanding, UT. They were sealed July 20, 1948 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Truman was complete in his love and devotion to Ada and his family.Graduating in 1951, Truman taught 5th grade and Ada taught 1st grade in Myton, Utah (near Duchesne) for one year. The next year they taught in a two room school house in the mining town of Sloan, Nevada. Ada taught 1st through 4th grade and Truman grades 5th through 8th. Ada became gravely ill from complications of a pregnancy and nearly died. She went to Blanding to live with her parents to recover. Dad later joined Mom, teaching various grades for two years and then becoming Principal of Blanding Elementary at the age of 25. He also taught 5th grade for most of his career. He remained there until 1962 when Park Terrace Elementary (later Albert R. Lyman Elementary) was built. He was Principal there until 1986. He served as Media Director/Computer Co-Coordinator until his retirement in 1988. Truman was also San Juan School District Head Start Director for the 1968 1969 school year. Truman loved being a teacher and principal and particularly loved and cared for his many students. He never took lunch, spending that time on the playgrounds playing with the students. He and his beloved 1952 Chevy were fixtures at school every day, even during the summer. Truman had a strong love for and a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served in many positions including 21 years as Ward Finance Clerk under four different bishops and as Meetinghouse Librarians with Ada for 32 years.Through he suffered greatly, he never complained and was grateful for the tender care given by his loving daughter Brenda and her family.Truman and Ada are parents of three children; Blake (Michelle) of Salt Lake City; Angela Cameron (deceased), and Brenda (Kelly Dearth) of Grand Junction. Not able to have children, they went to great lengths to adopt their children and be eternally sealed to them. Theirs was a home where love, compassion, hard work and integrity were not only taught but lived. Truman is also survived by five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three brothers and a sister. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Angela and his sister Gloria.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 12:00 noon at the Blanding LDS Stake Center under the direction of the San Juan Mortuary. Viewings will be held at the Mortuary in Blanding the evening before from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and at the Mortuary just prior to the funeral service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Per Truman's wishes, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund.

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