Emory Briggs Jr.

A memorial service for Emory Walter Briggs, Jr. is at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 3, 2012 at Hillside Christian Church with Van Longbons officiating. Services have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service. Emory Walter Briggs, Jr. passed away Monday, July 30, 2012 at the Jane Phillips Nowata Health Center. He was born on June 7, 1928 in Oskaloosa, Missouri to Emory Walter and Dovie (Moore) Briggs. He received his education in Liberal, Missouri, graduating from high school, there. On October 18, 1947 he married Shirley Trotter at Nevada, Missouri. The couple moved to Arcadia, Kansas where they raised three daughters and lived there until Shirley's death in 2003. He later met and married Betty (Inman) McKee on December 27, 2005 at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Emory and Betty moved to Nowata in 2007. He was a heavy equipment operator for more than 30 years. Much of his career was spent with Pohl Construction of Nevada, Missouri, building bridges and highways. Emory was a member of Arcadia Christian Church, where he was an elder and a Sunday School teacher. He and Betty attended Hillside Christian Church while residing in Nowata. Emory had served as Mayor of Arcadia and was a volunteer fireman until 2006. He was lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge at Girard, Kansas and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (AFL-CIO) Local 101B. Emory is survived by his wife, Betty (Inman) McKee-Briggs of the home; his children Lois Klein and husband Mick of Grand Island, Nebraska, Susan Pugan and husband Randy of Dogwood, Missouri; a son in law, Allan White and wife Kari of Owasso, Oklahoma; five stepchildren, Sherry Parris and husband Don of Nowata, Gaynell Barnes and husband Bill of Nowata, Wick Wickliffe of Delaware, Ann Morrison and husband Mike of Chelsea, Monty Wickliffe and wife Debbie of Nowata; a sister, Joyce Kerley and husband Richard of Fort Scott, Kansas, 26 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews to whom he was known as "Uncle Bud". He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Shirley (Trotter) Briggs; a daughter Nina White; a brother, Lloyd Briggs and by two sisters, Barbara Conduff and Donna Walker. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com. Memorials in Emory's name can be sent to the Nowata Ministerial Alliance at P.O. Box 226 Nowata, OK 74048

Service Details

Friday, August 3rd, 2012 2:00pm, Hillside Christian Church