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James Wise Wiggins, Sr., M.D. passed away peacefully on September 9, 2009, in Billings, Montana at age 91. Born in Moriarty, New Mexico on January 11, 1918, he grew up in Estancia, New Mexico with his father James Hardy Wiggins, M.D., mother Francis Price Wiggins, older brother Bennett, sister Mary and baby brother Joe who died in childhood. His father was a frontier country doctor, a career to which Dr. Wiggins aspired early on. He graduated from New Mexico State University and Tulane University School of Medicine, and went on to become an officer in the Army Air Force Medical Corps, stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. During this service, he met and married his loving wife of 50 years, Verna Elizabeth Light. He returned with his family to Albuquerque where he practiced for more than 40 years as an obstetrician/gynecologist caring for the women of New Mexico. He was instrumental in establishing Planned Parenthood of New Mexico, and was one of a group of physicians who worked to develop the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He continued to mentor medical residents and students long after he retired from practice. His wife Verna passed away in 1996. He was reacquainted with a cherished friend from medical school days, Beth Sumner, of Jacksonville, Florida who became his loving wife in 1997. He rediscovered his love of the clarinet, and he and Beth enjoyed many years of dancing and travel until her death in 2008. He then resided with family in Billings, Montana. Dr. Wiggins' respect for the lives and dignity of others throughout his life has been a caring and loving example for his children and grandchildren. His family will always hold these values close to their hearts and try to pass them on to future generations; they will miss his smile, quiet spirit and touch that enriched everyone's day, to the last days of his life. He is survived by his sons Bruce and wife Lorna of Albuquerque, Carl and wife Jill of Grass Valley, CA, Jim, Jr. and wife Nancy of Billings, MT, Bob and wife Kym of Anchorage, AK, daughter Carol Jane of Anchorage, AK, Beth's family, Bill and Pam Sumner of Wewahitchka, FL and a village of grandchildren and great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the HSC Medical Library at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center, or the Dr. James and Beth Wiggins Lectureship, c/o UNM Foundation, 700 Lomas Blvd., NE, Two Woodward Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102. A memorial services will be held at a later date. Please visit our online guestbook for Dr. Wiggins at RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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