In Memory of
Jerry Robert Wigg
1939 - 2014
Jerry Robert Wigg Obituary
Date of Birth: Wednesday, October 25th, 1939
Date of Death: Wednesday, April 17th, 2014
Silver Star Recipient 12/17/68
WIGG, JERRY R.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Silver Star Medal to Jerry R. Wigg (1694359), Corporal, U.S. Marine
Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while
serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine
Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against
the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on December 17, 1968. By his
courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in
the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Wigg upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Obituary:
Wigg, Jerry R. 74
Oct. 25, 1939 - April 17, 2014
A gregarious, brave and confident man who never heard a joke he couldn't make better, Jerry Robert Wigg, husband, father, grandfather and Marine, died Thursday, April 17, 2014, in Tillamook, at the age of 74. Jerry was born in 1939 to Robert and Dorothy Wigg of Portland. As a child, Jerry and his brother, David, lived on Southeast Stephens Street, where they enjoyed the bounty offered by Mt. Tabor Park; in particular, they enjoyed convincing passers-by they could fish for trout in the reservoir. After graduating from Franklin High School in 1957, Jerry entered the Marine Corps for three years and, upon discharge, went to work as a truck driver. At the age of 29, Jerry re-enlisted to support the cause in Vietnam. As a Marine dog handler, he was attached to Charley Company of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines when he was seriously wounded while leading a patrol in December 1968. Despite his life- threatening injuries, Jerry refused evacuation until the entire section was cleared of mines. For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Throughout his long and eventful life, Jerry had love-affairs with crossword puzzles, cooking, reading, shapely women, the Chicago Cubs, Blitz Weinhard and Old Crow bourbon, the latter two he gave up for Ernest and Julio Gallo's Hearty Burgundy, which, according to Jerry, always tasted better with ice cubes and a pack of smokes. An avid outdoors-man and artist, Jerry loved teaching his children how to hunt, fish, play cards, cook a steak, grow a garden and how to nurture chicks and ducklings with a heat lamp and cardboard box in the dining room. He also taught them the beauty of fireworks, utility of black tape, intricacies of a pool game and how to spot a perfectly massive Christmas tree to cut down when the time came, because Christmas requires a gigantic tree, a prime rib roast and a jug of Hearty Burgundy. Jerry is survived by his wife of 30 years, Carole; four children; grandchildren, Jenifer (husband, Pete, child, Ronan), Jason (wife, Jena, children, Dylan, Alexander and Katerina), Rachel (husband, Billy, children, Dakota, Kylie, Brodie and Josie) and Charity (children, Riley and Sophia); sibling, David; a nephew; nieces; and friends too numerous to list but much appreciated. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Jerry's life to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Tillamook Elk's Lodge, 1907 Third St., Tillamook, OR 97141, where you will be required to laugh, tell stories and have a drink or two in remembrance of Jerry Robert Wigg. Jerry will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (February 2015)
