James Gerald Briggs, 1920-2013
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James Gerald Briggs
James Gerald Briggs
1920 - 2013
James (Jim) Briggs passed away in Bakersfield on March 21. He was born on April 20, 1920, in Boone, Iowa, to Sylvia Williams and Harry Briggs. The family moved to the Los Angeles area in the late 1930s. He married his wife, Stanley, in 1941 and moved to Manhattan Beach, in 1949. They lived there until moving to Tehachapi in 1977.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Stanley. They were married 61 years. He was also preceded by a son, Jimmie, and two younger brothers, Donald, and Harry; and a sister, Ruth.
Jim is survived by a son, Gerald and his wife, Shirley of Bakersfield; and a daughter, Sylvia Lacey and her husband, Robert of Tehachapi. He is also survived by a younger brother, Clyde, 91, of Canadian, Okla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand and great-grandnieces and nephews who live in Oregon, California, Oklahoma, and Florida.
Jim was in the Army Air Corps and was stationed in Merced when WWII broke out. He was stationed in Guam during the war and was a Radioman on a B-29 bomber. One of his significant missions was to fly over Japan the day after the bombs were dropped and take pictures. He was very proud of the time he served.
Jim came from a family of plasterers and followed the family trade. His grandfather and father were also plasterers, and he was proud of the fact that his family was in the business for over 108 years. He worked on a number of movie stars homes, and after retiring to Tehachapi continued working on a number of homes here.
Jim was also a longtime member of the Tehachapi Moose Lodge, President of the Senior Seniors, American Legion. He was a Post Commander and lifetime member of the VFW Post # 5948 here in Tehachapi. He loved going to Kelcy’s restaurant. He also loved playing his guitar, and he played in a number of bands. Jim loved helping people, and if anyone needed a hand doing anything, he was there. He lived a long life, saw many things, and made many friends.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Wood Family Funeral Service Inc.
For condolences please visit www.woodmortuary.net.
