John Briggs

Lt. Colonel John Briggs (U.S. Army Ret.) passed away at his home on June 21, 2011. Born in Everett Washington, he entered active duty with the Washington National Guard in 1940 as a Tech Sergeant, Field Artillery Battalion Communications Chief. He participated in WW II with assault landings on Leyte and Okinawa, serving as Assistant Division Artillery Aviation Officer at the grade of Captain. He had two campaigns in the Korean conflict, and in Vietnam served as Aviation Advisor to II Corps MAG and Deputy Aviation Officer, Army Section MAG and Chief of Army Aviation Element. When not serving during conflicts he was Operations Officer U.S.F.A. Flight Detachment, Vienna, Austria. Aviation Officer 4th Constabulary Regiment, Linz Austria. He then joined the 7th Field Artillery Battalion, commanding A Battery, Assistant Commander Primary Helicopter School at Fort Walters in Mineral Wells and after a series of assignments he retired at Fort Rucker, Alabama at the grade of Lieutenant Colonel, Master Army Aviator with 7000+ hours of flying time in fixed/rotary wing, twin engine with more than 28 years of flying experience. During his service he received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star 2 clusters and Air Medal 3 clusters. After his career in the service he was very active in Palo Pinto County and beyond as an advisory board for special education, Chairman 7 Board of Pecan Valley M.H.M.R. along with Vestry member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church, editor of the church newspaper, member of Board of the American Red Cross disaster chairman, secretary. Volunteer, "pink lady" of PPGH, and the originator and editor of their newspaper the Pulse, alternate delegate to the State Republican Convention, twice. Member of PCISD and School Board of Houston School. He assisted on many National Disasters to include Wyle, TX, Weatherford, TX, Springtown grass fires, Hurricane Iniki, Kauai, HA and the New Jersey coast floods. He is survived by wife Melanie Cowan Briggs of Mineral Wells, sons David Young of Portland Oregon, James Kendall of Emersod Germany, Kim Jonason of Louisville Kentucky, John Briggs of Spokane Washington, Chris and Richard Briggs of Austin, an adopted daughter Janie Thurman of Divide Colorado, step-daughter Christi Wilson of Mineral Wells, grandchildren Jennifer, Jackie, Jessica, Brandi, Becky, Seth, Sarah and Zack, 5 step grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law Joan and Bill Boyd, cousin Rev. Carol Rose Ikler and many friends. He was preceded by parents, wife of 59 years Mary Rose Briggs and a sister. Visitation is at funeral home Sunday June 26, 2011 from 6-8PM; service is Monday June 27, 2011 10AM at St. Lukes Episcopal Church with burial following at Woodland Park Cemetery.