Thomas Arthur Rigsby

The Captain rides into the sunset. Like the 1953 western film starring Alan Ladd, our hero gets on his horse after being mortally wounded in the final battle of his life, defending a town and family from a band of criminals. His last words are spoken to a young boy, who had looked up to him during the film and had learned some hard lessons in the course. We, the watchers don’t really know what happens to Shane, other than we know he did his job and did the right thing.

My father was born May 3, 1937 in the then small rural community of Snyder, Texas. Roswell and Mavis Rigsby, originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas and Synder, Texas respectfully, welcomed their first child of three (baby Girl was still born a couple of years later and surviving brother Malcolm was born in 1957) into a world coming out of economic depression and entering into the era of The Greatest Generation. This stage would follow Dad through life, as a basis for his moral compass. A hard work ethic coupled with an almost unnatural need to always do the right thing, no matter the cost. His father and mother were hard working, self-made people, always transforming themselves to fit the situation, in everything from Real Estate to motel/hotel operations, café ownership and later tax preparation. So there was no doubt that Dad was given the tools he would need through his life to roll with the changes. As a graduate of Texas Tech in Advertising, he set out to make his mark in the world of print ads and logo designs, but before his career would end he would make his mark in radio, TV, outdoor… even package design for such Abilene brands as Gooch Packing and airplane paint schemes such as once Abilene based ChaparralAirlines.

His career fully started after a short stint in the Army, between the Korea and Vietnam conflicts. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany and worked in the Army’s Ad office. He met the woman who was to become my mother and her family, a family torn apart by world war welcomed him as a symbol of the America that freed them from tyranny. My German grandfather told me, when I was small, that his daughter marrying my father was an honor as he represented the freedoms they were able to retain after the war. Once discharged, they ended up in Los Angeles, California where Dad worked for TriArts, an ad agency doing work for the likes of Max Factor cosmetics and Motown Records. It was here where Dad met his mentors, men who he learned from and emulated, and became lifelong friends. Richard Vartian and George Bartell, among others, who represented his formative years. Another move landed him in Dallas and then just a year or so later to Abilene, the city where he would fully blossom.

Zachery, Naill and Associates were looking for an art director, and Dad fit that bill. Here he would spend many years creating some fine work and meeting some of the best people a man could call friends. People like Lou Vinson, Steve and Wilma Butman, Issac Munoz, Glenna Candler…. So many people who not only played a work role but became personal friends and family. My childhood was set in this time period, and is what I associated with some of the best in my life also.

The next step was the creation of Capt Flynn Advertising and Design, his agency that he created after leaving Zachery. The name was based on the nickname Steve Butman gave him and his favorite actor, Errol Flynn.   As Capt Flynn he went on to work on some of the best campaigns in Abilene; The Downtown Association, The Abilene Zoo, McKay’s Bakery, Smith Pipe, and so many others. Radio, including voiceovers for Downtown business ads and the daily entertainment spot; his voice was his trademark. TV spots promoting Downtown businesses. He came to be known as Mr. Downtown. His love for animals also led to work and board time for the local animal shelter. Yes, he was one of those people feeding the stray cats downtown. Along with the business, he was a part time teacher at Hardin Simmons University. Under the leadership and guidance of friend the Late Dr. Lawrence Clayton he was able to share his vast knowledge of the Ad business to art and business students who went on to have thriving careers themselves.

Life in Abilene also brought us to the Potosi United Methodist Church, where as a small boy Dad visited with his grandparents. Here he would find one of his many passions; Potosi church history, its past and its future. He was a believer and felt like God and his many friends lived in that old church building. Again the friends; families like the Bynum’s, Miller’s, Harvey’s, Buck’s just to name a few. He remarried in that church, his best friend Linda Shewbert Rigsby, 22 years ago this August 10 ^th . She was a huge part of his life. Their devotion to one other and to their careers and pastimes were inspirations to everyone around them. There was no Tom without Linda and vice versa.

I keep mentioning friends. You see, even though Dad was not what you would call overly social, the people that would become his friends were ultimately the most important thing in his life. Each was a gift from God who filled some hole in his heart. During the hard times, (there have been many), these people came to the rescue and got us through it. He never forgot them and became devoted to paying that forward.

He paid it forward by becoming heavily involved in the community. He was instrumental in the early days of the Paramount Theater. He, Robert Holladay, and others helped to bring this treasure back to Abilene. His love of movies spearheaded the West Texas Film Festival in the 1990’s. He supported and did work for the Abilene State School, Frontier Texas and many other local institutions. The stories I have heard from his customers and vendors, of his professionalism and kindness speak, volumes. Driving through Abilene, you would be hard pressed to find anything that Dad and Linda did not support in some way at some time.

Thomas Arthur Rigsby passed away Friday, August 3, 2018, surrounded by family and good friends. He is survived by his wife Linda Shewbert Rigsby of Abilene; son Colin Rigsby and wife Jennifer and grandson Greyson of Fort Worth; Brother Malcolm and wife Marla Rigsby; Niece Jennifer and her husband Adam, their two daughters Shelby and Bethany Davis of Hot Springs area Arkansas; Stepson Kaleb and wife Kimra, their two sons Quin and Weston Hamilton of Austin, Texas; and Stepdaughter Kama and husband Doug Morton of Billings, Montana. Unlike Shane, we the audience know exactly where this man, my hero, Capt Flynn and Mr. Downtown went. His work and signature will always be a part of Abilene history.

Services are Thursday, August 9 at 10 am, Piersall Funeral Home in Abilene. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Abilene animal shelter, the organization All Blind Children of Texas (abctx.org) or if you feel inclined, visit you favorite Downtown Abilene business. Go take in a movie at the Paramount, have a meal at one of the fine restaurants or go have a cigar at The Leaf. And remember Dad.