Hugh Briggs

Robert H. Briggs Sr. (Hugh) - 82 Robert Hugh Briggs, Sr. (Hugh) died on January 24, 2014 in Dillon, Montana.  The son of John William and Florence Emma Mayer Briggs, he was born in McKinnon, Wyoming on August 16, 1931.  Hugh had three older brothers, Harold, Dick and Jack.  His childhood was wonderful as the tag-a-long, helping his parents, his brothers and their spouses work the Wyoming ranch. Hugh graduated from Ogden High School in 1949.  There are such great stories of the Wyoming days and the fun that was part of this family. After graduating, Hugh joined his family in Montana where they had just purchased the old Henry Thompson place at Kidd.  He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Beede, in the LDS Manti Temple on September 8, 1950.  Hugh described the next thirty years as the best time of his life.  The Briggs family built a wonderful ranch, enlivened the community, and together raised 17 cousins.  Hugh was a tenacious businessman and skilled craftsman and mechanic. He could fix anything.  He shared his talents with anyone in need.  He was the Branch President of the Lima LDS church for thirteen years and was instrumental in the construction of the current church facility. Hugh enjoyed working, visiting, square dancing, hunting, flying, and machinery of all types.  He often shared stories of the ranch days and the adventures and fun in that most beautiful place! After the ranch was sold in 1979, Hugh and Barbara moved to Dillon where Hugh worked in the construction business with his brother Harold and then started a trucking business with his son, John.  He continued to fix anything for anyone throughout the county and enjoyed traveling with Barbara.  The grandchildren will always tell stories of the wonderful times they had over the next twenty years at their grandparent's special home in Dillon and their beautiful land on Flathead Lake.  His wife Barbara died January 10, 2000. Hugh enjoyed the next nine years with his second wife, LaRue Potter, traveling and living in St. George, UT until a change occurred in his health. In 2010 Hugh returned to Dillon.  The family gives a special thanks to all the kind friends at Renaissance Senior Care who continued to share and enjoy special stories, fun and smiles with Hugh. Hugh was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, bothers and sisters-in-laws Harold & Joan Briggs, Dick & Gladys Briggs, Bill Beede; parents John & Florence Briggs, parents in-law David & Dorothy Beede, and niece Valaine Briggs. He is survived by his children -Bob & Susan Briggs, Dorothy Ann & Kelly Stagg, John & Val Briggs, Doug & Sandy Briggs, Emmalee & Tim Plenger, Grandchildren Anne & Mark Fuller, Loren & Kalin Briggs, Emmalee Briggs, Jack & Erica Stagg, Stephen Stagg, Jeff Stagg, Tyson & Debbie Briggs, Jared Briggs, Hailey Briggs, Nolan & Jenyce Briggs, Brendan & Jenna Briggs, Brittany & Tyrel Munday, Briggett Plenger, and Timberlee Plenger; brother and sisters-in-law Jack & Allowee Briggs, Katherine Dillingham, fifteen great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews he loved dearly. Services will be Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:00 in the LDS church in Dillon.  All are welcome to a drop-in gathering of family and friends at Bob Briggs' home, 255 Ridgeview Drive in Dillon on Thursday, January 30, 2014 starting at 6:00 to share your stories.