Brian Keith Wiggins

Brian Keith Wiggins, age 50, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2012 at Grant Hospital after an extended illness. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Brian received his primary education in the Columbus City Schools and graduated from Marion Franklin High School. In 1985, he completed his undergraduate studies and was conferred with a Bachelor's degree by The Ohio State University. The following year, he entered into active duty with the United States Navy. During his years of military service, Brian completed the Basic Hospital Corpsman School, Field Medical Service School, and the Ambulance Driver Course, qualifying him to work as a Field Medical Service Technician. Among his assigned duty locations was Camp Pendleton, California, along with some sea and foreign deployment during the Persian Gulf War. He received many decorations and citations, including the National Service Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Operations Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. Brian was honorably discharged in 1992; however, he continued to serve his country as a member of the Navy Reserves and the Ohio (Army) National Guard. He retired from The Ohio State University Medical Center where he worked for many years as a Hospital Orderly. Brian was a loving man who genuinely cared for his family members and friends. He was a generous man - always thinking of others and often giving gifts to his loved ones. He was revered by many, especially young people such as his niece and nephews, who seemed to easily gravitate toward his kind, gentle spirit. His experience as a medic afforded him the honor and privilege of assisting his sister Denise with the surprise, at-home delivery of one of her children some time ago. Prior to that occurrence, he had performed another infant delivery when a military associate unexpectedly went into labor. Brian kept a positive outlook on life in spite of a longtime struggle with his declining health. No matter what he faced, he continued to be a beacon of shining light. Brian leaves behind his mother Margaret Jennings; two sisters Maria Morris and Denise Jennings; nephews Nicholas Morris, Stefan Morris, Joshua Jefferson, and Christian Jefferson; niece Danielle Wiggins; aunt Rhonda Wiggins; special cousin Mary Franklin; and a host of other relatives and friends. His father, Lewis Jennings, and grandparents Henry and Nellie Wiggins, preceded Brian in death.