Harold P. Briggs

Harold P. Briggs, age 84, of Sidney, NE passed away at UC Health Medical Center Cardiac ICU in Loveland, CO. Thursday, September 7, 2023. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at New Heart Fellowship Church in Sidney, NE with Pastor Pete Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at the Pine Bluffs Cemetery in Pine Bluffs, WY. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Wednesday from 1-6:00 P.M. to leave condolences for the family. You may view Harold's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Harold's care and funeral arrangements.

Harold was born May 5, 1939 at home in Marion, MA to Harold C. and Grace M. (Smith) Briggs. He was the 11th child of 13 children and had 6 brothers and 6 sisters. Harold loved his family dearly and spoke of them often. He frequently talked about the times they had growing up.

He joined the National Guards of Massachusetts on May 14th 1955. He left Marion in his teens to join his brother Lloyd and family, in Cheyenne, WY. In 1956, while working in Hillsdale, he met Dick Stoner. This friendship lasted a lifetime full of memories and storytelling.

Harold was drafted into the Army on September 20, 1958 and sent to basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. His assigned duty was a heavy equipment operator, specifically tank remover. He was honorably discharged on December 10, 1960 but remained listed in the reserves for several years. He became a heavy equipment operator doing construction. While working on the initial build of Interstate 80, from the Nebraska state line to Cheyenne, he spent time in Pine Bluffs, WY. This is where he met the love of his life, Frances Elsie Rice. Harold P Briggs and Frances E. (Rice) Briggs were married on August 18, 1962. They were blessed with four beautiful daughters, Christina M. Lohman, Rebecca L. Briggs, Alena R. (Roy) McHodgkins, and their miracle baby AnnaGrace Briggs.

He worked construction over the summers and in the winter as a civilian heavy equipment operator on F. E. Warren Air Force Base. He resigned on March 31, 1967 after accepting a new position as a long-haul truck driver. Soon after beginning his new career, they moved to Pine Bluffs, WY where they would raise their family. He was employed for 30 years as a cross country driver with International Transport. He enjoyed visiting with his mother, father and some of his brothers and sisters who lived in numerous states across the country when he made deliveries. He dearly enjoyed the times he was able to be on the truck with his brother Lloyd. He also trucked side by side with his cousin, Timmy, whom he was extremely close to and loved like a brother.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents Harold C. and Grace M. (Smith) Briggs, beloved wife Frances E. (Rice) Briggs, daughter AnnaGrace Briggs, granddaughter Rachel McHodgkins, grandson and adopted son Aaron Briggs, great-grandson Alex K. Lohman. He was also preceded in death by brothers George, Samuel and Charles; sisters Bernice, Margaret, Thelma, Pauline, Rose, and best friend Dick.

Harold is survived by brothers Lloyd of Cheyenne, WY, Col. Arnold of West Wareham, MA and Benjamin of Glendive, MT; sister Priscilla of West Wareham, MA. Harold's caregiver Tonia Fulton, who cared for him and became a good friend. He is also survived by his daughters Rebecca of Sidney, NE, Christina of Cheyenne, WY, and Alena (Roy) of Cheyenne, WY.

Harold took pride in being a grandfather and even more so a great-grandfather. Survived by

grandchildren and great-grandchildren Rebekah daughter Aunabel of Sidney, NE, Jeremy (Paige) sons Jeremy and Damien of Lincoln, NE, Sherri (Charles) children Dominic, Madison, and Brian of Cheyenne, WY, Aaron's children PJ, Hayla, and Preston of Cheyenne, WY, Mark of Cheyenne, WY, Onieda (Davyes) children MaKenzie, Oakland, and Vyolet of Sidney, NE, Michael (Haley) children Emilyn and Evan of Wamego, KS, Teresa (Dan) children Elizabeth, Mason, and Ethan of Laramie, WY, Scott of Laramie, WY, Kyla (Shelbe) daughter Ellieana of Cheyenne, WY, Steven (Shawna) children Kinsley and unborn Haisleigh of Sidney, NE and Jessey of Sidney, NE.