LTC James "Jamie" B. Briggs

James Buford Briggs (Jamie) was born November 16, 1940, at Rollins-Brook Hospital in Lampasas, Texas.  His parents were Alfred Buford Briggs and Jewell Dean McCrea Briggs.  He died peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.

After Jamie's parents divorced when he was young, he was reared by his mother who was the major influence in his life.  The neighborhood where Jamie grew up was full of children and good times.  Most of his time was spent outside playing games such as hide and seek, kick the can, sheep board down, cowboys and Indians, army, scrub baseball, and football.

Starting at age 11, he worked every day after school and on Saturdays at White's Auto Store earning $2.50 a week.  Thereafter, Jamie had a wide variety of jobs; he never missed a day of work or school because of illness.  He was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Lampasas and kept his strong Christian faith until the end.  He attended Lampasas schools and graduated from Lampasas High School in 1959.  Jamie was an Eagle Scout, competed in the UIL slide rule competition, played football and ran track, and served as class president during his junior and senior years.

Jamie received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas in 1964, which at the time was an all-male military school.  While a cadet at Texas A&M, he was in Company B-1 serving as First Sergeant.  He was a member of the Ross Volunteers, recognized as both a distinguished student and a distinguished military student.  While at college Jamie left his car in Lampasas so his mother would have a way to work.  Anytime he went home to visit he hitchhiked.  To pay for college, he spent his summers working for the United States Forest Service in Idaho and Montana, and as a switchman for the Southern Pacific Railroad in San Antonio.

After graduating, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, Field Artillery.  During his first tour at Fort Hood, Texas he met Dorothy Ann Reed Briggs on a blind date that led to 57 years of marriage.  They had one child, their beautiful daughter Marcia Ann Briggs.  She was his pride and joy and he loved being a daddy. 

In the army, he had command, staff, and teaching assignments with duty stations at Fort Hood, Texas; Vietnam; Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Graduated School at Texas A&M (Master's Degree in Education); United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; Korea; Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas; Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and Baumholder, Germany.  His third and final tour was at Ft. Hood where he retired from the Army in 1986 with 22 years of service as a LTC(P).  Jamie and Dorothy loved the military life and no matter where they were stationed they made friends and were active in the post and community activities.

After retirement, he ran the ROTC program for Sidney Lanier High School in San Antonio, Texas.  In 1988, they moved back home to Lampasas and Jamie taught school in Lampasas and Burnet.  In 1992, he started his own business, Briggs Oak Wilt Service, and traveled all over Central Texas treating oak trees for the oak wilt disease.  He became a certified arborist from the International Society of Arboricultural and after 26 years he sold his business.

A dedicated volunteer, Jamie served as President of the Lampasas ISD School Board for nine years.  In 2009, he was the driving force in helping pass a bond that enabled LISD to build and open a much-needed new high school and new elementary school.  He served on the American Heart Association Board, Spring Ho Committee, and Board of Directors.  He was a life member of the Sons of The Republic of Texas, a member of the Kiwanis Club, VFW, AMVETS, and American Legion Post 277 where he served as Commander, and was the Boys State Chairman.

He loved to hunt (mule deer in West Texas), fish, read (history), play table games (especially moon), travel, and attend and watch Lampasas Badger and Texas Aggie sports.  Jamie and Dorothy were Grand Marshals of the 42nd annual Spring Ho Festival Parade.  To learn more about Jamie's life, you can read the book he published in 2022, Memories of James B. Briggs.

Jamie was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Berta Dean Briggs Stanukinos, and his beloved daughter, Marcia Ann Briggs.  Jamie is survived by his wife and best friend, Dorothy Ann Briggs; his nephew, Stanley Stanukinos and three great-nephews, T.J., Samuel, and Luke; the McCrea cousins; the Briggs cousins; the Reed Family nephews and nieces; Rhonda and Randy Blanton and family; his adopted family (the entire family of Dick and Juanita Procter) Pepper, Kellie, Paris, Presli, and Maci Procter, Richard, Jena, Jack, Victoria and Katie Procter, Sami Kinsey and family, Cindy and George Goertz and family, Dixie and Kerry McGrath and family, as well as a host of dear friends.

Jamie loved his family and dear friends and was vocal about telling them.  His big heart, kindness, and compassion led him to always help others and take up for the underdog.  Thank you for being a part of his life and for your love, support, and prayers with a special thanks to Dr. Georgia Hay.

Services will be held at Grace Fellowship Church on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 2 pm with visitation an hour prior.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Marcia Ann Briggs Scholarship Fund (Cadence Bank) or the charity of your choice.