Briggs

After a valiant battle with cancer daddy took his last breath at 11:56 p.m. on March 23, 2021. He was surrounded by people who loved him and as he entered his new life in heaven, we held him and loved on him. He was 76.

Our hero, Our heart, Our dad. He was the light in our darkness, an understanding ear through good and bad times. He always encouraged us girls to continue our education and follow our dreams. Our dad loved us unconditionally. He worked many hours to give us all what we needed and wanted.

Randolph Wilson Briggs was born in Eagle Lake, he lived most of his life in La Grange, he was an explorer at heart, he was an air traffic controller in the United States Navy during the Vietnam war, he was an accomplished musician, he was a disc jockey, he was a deputy sheriff in Colorado County and one of the best dragline operators in this region.

He built us tree houses, he taught us about engines, he taught us how to shoot and how to milk a cow, he was on the other end of the phone line every single time we needed him. He taught us how to be strong and have perseverance. We hold many precious memories of dad that we will cherish always.

As the youngest and his caregiver, I spent a lot of time with him in his last weeks, we laughed, we ate fried chicken and barbecue, we sang songs and talked about how much he loved mama. I will miss him terribly.

Dad loved his grandchildren and great children immensely. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathryn Starke Briggs; his brother and best friend, Gary Briggs (Carolyn); his daughters, Melinda Briggs and Stacey Allen (Forrest Allen); nine grandchildren, Joseph Ditta (Holly), Victoria Morales (Moises), Amanda Ditta, Shelly Barta (Jeremy), Clayton Crysel, Kathryn Grier (Gabriel), Cody Crysel, Lauren Mayne (John) and Dillon Crysel (Jerricca). Those grandchildren gave him the following great grandchildren: Gavin Musselwhite, Jayden Kirk, Kaydence Robb, Saya Crysel, Sophia Musselwhite, Penelope Mayne, Brantley Sarvis, Rhyatt Sarvis, Cheyenne Morales and Emma Crysel-Ledesma. They will miss their Popo!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Josephine Briggs; his great son-in-law, Shannon Mayne; grandbabies, Kirsten Crysel, Joshua Crysel, Forrest Allen JR, Bailey Allen, and Abbey Allen; great grand-babies, Jessie Crysel and Noah Ditta.

Fayette Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in La Grange directed the cremation.