Wyman Dean Figgins

Wyman Dean Figgins, age 76 passed away Saturday morning while in palliative care at Adena Hospital in Chillicothe, Ohio. Wyman was born September 3, 1948, to the late Earl and Margaret (Cofer) Figgins, of Blackfork, Ohio. He was a member of Union Baptist Church in Blackfork, where he was a trustee and managed the music board for church services and enjoyed doing both.

Wyman attended grade school and high school at Blackfork, Ohio, and graduated from Oak Hill High School with the class of 1966. While in high school, he played both basketball and football.

Wyman served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era from 1968-1970 as a Private E-4. While actively bombed by Vietcong and awaiting a medical helicopter, Private Figgins stayed with an injured soldier who was trying to stand up. He covered the injured soldier to hold him down while receiving shrapnel injuries to his legs, arms, and back. For his bravery, courage, and injuries during combat conditions, Private Wyman Figgins received the Purple Heart Medal. Later, on December 14, 2024, he was honored once again for his bravery with a Quilt of Valor by the Down by the River Quilt Guild, in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Upon his return home, he worked at several different jobs, including Goodyear (Meridian) where Wyman worked in the maintenance department and formed many new friendships and later would retire. He also married Pamela J. Rippey on October 1, 2001, and they made their home in Jackson, Ohio.

In his spare time, he liked to play baseball and go golfing with his co-workers. He was an Ohio State Buckeyes fan and loved to watch them play, and he also enjoyed watching old westerns. Wyman was quiet and kind to everyone. He had a warm and polite smile and was always ready to lend a hand. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Margaret Figgins, and a brother, Ray Figgins, from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela (Rippey) Figgins of Jackson, Ohio; siblings: Darrell and Cindi Figgins of Columbus, Ohio; Anita and Clarence McNeal of Columbus, Ohio; Vera and Thomas Williams of Seattle, Washington; Maxine Figgins and Mike McCool of Columbus, Ohio; and Sarah Figgins of Columbus, Ohio; nephews and nieces: Michael Figgins of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Mark Figgins of Louisville, Kentucky; Justin Figgins of Marietta, Georgia; Brandon McNeal of Columbus, Ohio; Jonthomas Williams of Seattle, Washington; Andrew Claflin of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Kyra Williams of Seattle, Washington; and Monica Broadnax of Columbus, Ohio; brother- and sisters-in-laws: Robert Rippey, Iris Rippey, and Hope Rippey, all of Blackfork, Ohio; as well as a host of great-nieces and great-nephews and many cousins.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 12-2 PM at Union Baptist Church in Blackfork, Ohio. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Wayne McLaughlin officiating. Burial will follow in Union Baptist Cemetery with military services conducted by the Disabled American Veterans of Jackson and the United States Army. Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com.