Obituary of Vernon R. Briggs

Vernon Ray Briggs 1-26-1921 To 5-12-2010 We celebrate the life of Vernon R. Briggs and reflect in the memories of this amazing man. 62 years of marriage to Evelyn Jane Wick 9 children: Ronald, Julie, Nikky, Scott, Melanie, Stacy, Susan, John, Larry 4 siblings: Ivan, Irving, Arthur and Lillian Clark 20 grandchildren And a loving friend to all Vernon was born to John William and Florence Briggs on January 26, 1921, where his family lived at the southwest corner of Middle Street and Pifer Road in Olympia, Washington. He moved with his parents shortly after birth to the Briggs family home built by his grandfather Alfred Ecker, on 522 North Street in Olympia. His back yard was a cemetery where he kissed his first girl behind a tombstone. The family later donated the homestead to the Masons, of which his Dad was a member. The Masonic Lodge now resides on the homestead in place of the home. We invite you to join us at the Masonic Lodge for Vernon’s Celebration of Life on June 12, 2010 at 2:00 pm. The Briggs family had a family business with a large barn where he learned how to care for many chickens, a cow, work the garden, care for and sell berries. His mother milked the family cow and made sweet butter. Their produce was sold at the Kearney’s grocery store on the corner of 5th and Capital Way in Olympia where his father John was employed as an office manager. Vernon attended Lincoln Elementary and Olympia High School where no school bus was provided, which made for a long walk until obtaining a bicycle. Upon graduation from OHS in 1939, Vernon worked with his father at Kearney’s until working for Puget Sound Power and Light Company as an Inter-Office Communications Manager. There he worked with his future wife’s sister, Katie Wick. Vernon joined the Naval Reserve in January 1942 and was stationed at the Naval Annex in Arlington, Virginia before being assigned to the fast, light aircraft carrier, U.S.S. San Jacinto, which earned a Presidential Unit Citation after participating in seven major sea engagements in the Pacific during WWII. He loved sharing the story of how proud he was to have been on board ship when President George H. W. Bush was rescued and brought on board after his plane Barbara was shot down off the island of Chichi-Jima in the Pacific Ocean during WWII. Upon leaving the Navy as a Chief Aviation Storekeeper, Vernon enrolled as a student at Walt Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. His brother Ivan was attending the same college and the two brothers had many opportunities to get acquainted with each other and have fun. During a visit home from school, he met the girl of his dreams at the Evergreen Ballroom. His friend Katie Wick was anxious to introduce him to Evelyn, her sister. Vern married Evelyn Wick in 1948. She had also graduated from Olympia High School and was working for the Washington State Patrol. His brother Ivan was able to witness the happiness that his brother experienced in finding his future wife, and loves sharing those happy stories to this day. The happy couple moved to Seattle in 1948 and had their first child in 1949. Vernon graduated from the University of Washington in 1950 as a Certified Public Accountant. They then found their home on Ward Lake in Olympia to begin raising their family, and Vernon became a partner of the accounting firm, Vadman, Dimon and Briggs. In 1977 the family moved to Pennsylvania where Vernon worked eleven years as an Administrator for the Clymer Health Clinic in Quakertown and also became a minister of their philosophy. In 1988 the family moved back to the homestead in Olympia on Ward Lake and Vernon worked for the Briggs Nursery with his son’s Scott and Stacy, and his Cousin Bruce and son Gary. Vernon retired at age 85 from doing accounting and payroll only to continue helping Evie with outside garden work around the “Big House”. They always had a bounty of produce in their garden which taught his 9 kids a healthy work ethic. A few of us had a difficult time learning the difference between weeds and vegetables, which today makes for some fun family stories. Vernon leaves behind his loving wife Evelyn; 9 helpful children; 20 wonderful grandchildren; 7 lucky in-laws; a loving brother and sister, Ivan and Lillian; and his precious cat, Fritz. Vernon enjoyed his younger days as a Boy Scout, hiking and camping in the Olympic Mountains. He was thrilled to share similar activities with his family, which also included fishing, clamming, and crabbing. Many family memories were made from our vacation home in Ocean Shores. He enjoyed playing Baritone Sax with the American Legion Band and he was proud of his family Square Dancing at Lac-a-do Hall. He had past memberships with the Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club, and was very involved in the Republican Party. He loved politics. Until his death, he was an active member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, Masonic Lodge Harmony 18, Scottish Rite and Shrine Club of Olympia. Vernon loved life and never spoke a negative word about anyone. He enjoyed cheering for the underdog. He lived an honest, respectable life with the simple philosophy of living in accordance with God’s laws. We would hear him say, “Do unto others as you’d want them to do unto you”, and “You reap as you sow”. He wouldn’t tell us what to do, but would encourage us to figure things out for ourselves. He was known to his church friends as “The Late Reverend Briggs”. He gave his family, love, praise and encouragement. He always put his family first. He was always happy to share a story and lived to please Mom. He taught us that anticipation was half the fun. We all love him dearly and will cherish all the wonderful memories we have had together with him. “Dad, it was an honor to be one of your children. Thank you.” Lovingly, Susan Children Larry Briggs and Anna John Briggs and Julie Susan Pryde and Jim Stacy Briggs Melanie Howell and Rusty Scott Briggs and Ranielle Nikky Oldham and Greg Julie Robertson and Jeff Ronald Briggs Grandchildren Tom and Lance and mother Janice (deceased) Mikkelann Maria, Johnny, Douglas, Jamie and Jeremy Katie, Stefanie, Dustin and Natalie Shanelle and Jacob Kody, Keegan and Kyler Christy, Davey and Danny Donations will be used towards the purchase of a medical alert necklace for Evelyn. The Odd Fellows Cemetery in Olympia will reflect Vernon’s name on the Mausoleum.