Jimmy Allen Carrigan

Colonel Jimmy Allen Carrigan, 79, of Amarillo, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Viewing will be from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 7735 Gibbs Sprawl Road, San Antonio, Texas 78239. Services will follow at 12:00 P.M. at Chapel Hill with Rev. Terry Beavers officiating. Graveside services will be at Shelter #2, 2:00 P.M. on Thursday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

Jimmy was born June 9, 1945 in Amarillo, Texas to John and Florene Carrigan. Jimmy graduated from Amarillo High School in 1963. He attended Amarillo College, San Antonio College, Incarnate Word College and graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1984. Jimmy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1963, one week after playing his last high school baseball game. Following basic training, he graduated from the Marine Corps Communication School, Camp Pendleton, California and reported to Headquarters and Service Company, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment. He was sent to Okinawa in February 1964 and saw duty in Japan, Okinawa, and the Philippines. While a Member of the Fleet Marine Force Pacific Varsity Baseball Team, he traveled throughout the far east. In the fall of 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin incident required him to report back to this parent unit for deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. He was part of the initial task force of Marines guarding the Da Nang Air Base. He returned to Camp Pendleton in March of 1965. He began his second tour in February of 1966, which eventually led to service in the Fifth Marine Regiment at Chulai, RVN. As a member of the Tactical Air Control Party in the Fire Coordination Center, he participated in several major operations. He completed his tour in 1967. 

Jimmy received a direct commission from the Texas Air National Guard in 1972. He retired in 2000 after flying F-100, F-4 and F-16. He flew for the guard all over the world in training and combat ready roles. Colonel Carrigan was Vice Commander of the “Texas Gunfighters”, 149 TFG, based in San Antonio at the time of his retirement. After his retirement he worked for Boeing as a flight safety instructor for the F15 program. Jimmy Committed his life to the service of God, country and family. Jimmy married Denise Ball in 1967. Denise preceded him in death in 2019 after celebrating 54 years of marriage. The World-Famous Uncle Jimmy was a hero to his family. He will be greatly missed by his sister, Mary Jo Beavers of Amarillo and brother, Eddie Carrigan of Virginia. A special loss will be felt by his niece, Carla Thurman and family. A greater man she never knew. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.