Post date: Oct 23, 2017 7:03:56 PM
Kody Kern Riggan, 46, of Paragould, passed away on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was Iota Theta Zeta No. 771.
He is survived by his wife Carla and three children, Carson, Carlley and Cade, all of Paragould; his parents, Annie Morrow (J.C.) and Harold “Blue” Riggan (Kathy) of Corning; a brother, Russ Riggan (Missy) of St. Louis; three nephews, William, Samuel and Henry, all of St. Louis; three step-brothers, Bob Morrow (Sherry), Chris Shourd (Danielle) and Charlie Shourd (Ali); a step-sister, Amy Shourd; his maternal grandmother, Emma Pulliam of Corning; his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Kinder of Searcy; a sister-in-law, Trina Abraham (Andrew) of Searcy; and three nieces, Gabriella, Eva and Lyla, all of Searcy.
Kody graduated from Corning High School in 1988. He attended Arkansas State University, where he was a member of both the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the ASU baseball team. He graduated in 1992 with a bachelor of science degree in finance.
While at ASU he met and married the love of his life, Carla Kinder.
From a young age Kody worked alongside his grandfather and father in the family business, Corning Implement. Upon graduation from ASU, he served in all capacities from salesman to vice president.
In 2010 Kody played an integral role in forming Legacy Equipment, a John Deere retail agricultural and consumer products dealership with seven locations across Arkansas and Missouri, and was serving as chief executive officer and president at the time of his death. He was a member of the board at Legacy Equipment and the Midwest-Southeastern Equipment Dealers Association.
He owned and operated Square Shooter Hunting Club and wrote for and was a member of the pro staff for Greenhead Magazine and the Duck Hunter’s Magazine.
Kody was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Paragould. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, flying and traveling, especially with family and friends. He was happiest when spending time with family, whether golfing with Carson and Cade, making pickles with Carlley or having dinner with “Chief.”
Kody never met a stranger, was generous to everyone and lived every day to the fullest. He was the ultimate husband, father, family man and friend and will be missed by many.
Funeral services were held Aug. 4, 2016, at First United Methodist Church in Paragould with the Rev. John Fleming officiating.
Active pallbearers were Robert Thompson, Chris Brengard, Kyle Harris, Mark Craft, Joey Sellmeyer, Carson Riggan, Cade Riggan, Russ Riggan, Blue Riggan and J. C. Morrow.
Honorary pallbearers were the Legacy Equipment family, John Hannah, Ward Hannah, Tim Covington, Andrew Abraham, Rob Watts and Mark Rockwell.
The family suggested memorials be made to the FUMC Paragould Building Fund.