Healing Hearts

A few months ago my best friend Selena, lost her brother Jeff. This happened while I was in Hawaii running the Lavaman. I was beside myself because I was in Hawaii and could not attend the funeral and to be there for my friend and her family. I had been planning on getting over to Idaho Falls to spend some time with Selena but because of my surgery and training I had been unable to get over to that side of the state. Friday I made an impromptu decision to head over.

When I arrived I stopped at Selena's and we spent about 3 hours catching up. We had decided to head up to St. Anthony Saturday morning. No schedule, no agenda.

After taking a few gaunts around some old familiar houses we headed out to my old house on the river. What had started out an already fabulous day with a friend was soon going to prove to be a spectacular day! I am not going to try to explain what unfolded at our former house other than to say we stopped to meet the owner's of the house whom so kindly invited us inside to see what they had done. We spent almost four hours with our new friend Lynn. We toured the house, old and new, we reminisced of the old days, and chatted on the porch over the river. The time was truly priceless.

After our recent, unbelievable experience, Selena and I headed to the Silver Horseshoe for lunch. I had been craving a cheeseburger deluxe, which was simply a cheeseburger with fried and a side salad. It was served exactly as it was 20 years ago. We ran into Brandy Angel having coffee and spend the next hour catching up with her.

After lunch, we headed out to Selena's old house in Wilford. We pulled in to the driveway the owner's were mowing the lawn. We inquired if we could walk around the property and told them that Selena had lived there in the past. They kindly agreed. While we were walking in the back yard, the owners came to us and asked if we would like to see the inside. Of course our answer was yes. I could see the resolve in Selena's eye's. This had been such a spectacular day. One I was thankful to be there for my friend!

On our way back to town we decided we should stop at Betty's to have a fruity beverage. It was there we ran into some old friends both kind and cruel. It ended up being a spectacular day of tears and laughs, sadness and resolve. The rest of that days experiences will remain in the heart of both Selena and I. I love you my friend. You will be OK!

2517 S River Rd

Selena's old house in Wilford

In death a hero, as in life a friend!

-Alexander Pope

Jeff Rigby

October 18, 1968 - March 19, 2011

Jeffery Russell Rigby, 42, of Billings, formerly of St. Anthony, Idaho, passed away peacefully at his home on March 19, 2011.

He was born on Oct. 18, 1968, in Ogden, Utah, to Sherwin Russell Rigby and Irene Elizabeth Aslett Rigby. He was raised in St. Anthony, attended schools there and graduated from South Fremont High School. He attended Ricks College.

He lived in Elko, Nev., for 14 years, where he worked for Barrick Goldstrike Mines. He moved to Billings, and most recently started a joint-owned business, Rigby Custom Landscaping.

He married Shannon Jill Barrett in 1990 in Elko, and together they had a son, Killian. They later divorced.

Jeff enjoyed fishing, golfing and traveling to his favorite place, Thailand. He especially enjoyed his time riding dirt bikes with his son in Idaho and Nevada. He loved his family very much and was always very considerate and willing to help friends and relatives. He was a perfectionist in everything he did. He greatly loved his two cats, Hussy and Dunder.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by son Killian Russell Rigby of St. Anthony; father Sherwin Russell Rigby of St. Anthony; mother Irene Elizabeth Aslett Rigby of Rexburg, Idaho; sister Selena (Christopher) Earley of Idaho Falls, Idaho; brother Jared (Tami) Rigby of Idaho Falls; sister Sumerli (Jason) Lynch of Idaho Falls; nephews, Justin Fullmer, Hayden Earley, Connor Lynch; nieces, Taylor Rigby and Jaylee Lynch; grandparents Gene and Zola Rigby of Parker, Idaho; his close friend, Shamen Martinez and her daughter, Rikkie Martinez, of Elko.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marvin J. Aslett and Marie E. Aslett; and uncle Kevin L. Rigby and aunt Alice W. Whitmore.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26 at Wood East Side Chapel (963 S. Ammon Road, Idaho Falls). The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, and from 1 to 1:45 p.m., prior to the services, both at the funeral home.