Dr. Robert Robbins Garrigus, age 79, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away Sunday, February 28, 2016. Dr. Garrigus was born in Urbana, IL and grew up in Lexington, KY. He was the son of the late Wesley P. and Helen Robbins Garrigus.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Janice Jones Garrigus; daughters, Pamela Jebeles and husband Chris of Birmingham, AL and Heather Garrigus of Houston, TX; three grandchildren, Nicole, Kristen, and Nicholas Jebeles; a brother, Jim Garrigus and wife Sheila of Atlanta, GA; and a sister, Betty Garrigus Baird of Owensboro, KY.

Dr. Garrigus was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Murfreesboro Noon Rotary Club, and the Tennessee Livestock Association. He loved sports and was an avid Kentucky Wildcat and MTSU "True Blue Fan".

Dr. Garrigus received his B.S. degree from the University of Kentucky, his M.S. degree from the University of Illinois, and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. He taught at Purdue University for five years and then in 1967 began a 34 year teaching career at Middle Tennessee State University, retiring in 2001.

He taught ten different courses of Animal Science plus coached the Livestock Judging Teams. In 1973 he was given the Outstanding Teacher award. During his tenure, he served on the Faculty Senate, and chaired both the University Scholarship and Appeals Committees. In 1988, he was recognized by the American Polled Herford Association and honored for his outstanding youth work. The Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate honored him for his meritorious service to the citizens of the State of Tennessee. Most recently, he was honored by MTSU through the establishment of the Robert Garrigus Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel Murfreesboro. Graveside services will be held 11:00 am EST, Saturday at Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, KY with Rev. Dr. Bill Moore officiating.

Memorials may be made in honor of Dr. Garrigus to the Robert Garrigus Scholarship Fund c/o MTSU Foundation, P.O. Box 109, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. An online guestbook is available for the Garrigus family at www.woodfinchapel.com.