Richard Briggs

Richard Elsberry Briggs passed away April 11, 2018. He was born in St. Anthony, Idaho on June 21, 1940. Born to Marvin E. Briggs and Joyce Briggs, he was the fourth of six children. The family moved to Teton Valley in his early years and Dad always considered Judkins his home. He grew up as many in that era did: working hard on the farm and graduating from Teton High School in 1958. After high school, he attended Idaho State University for a short period of time, and while in Pocatello, he met his future wife, Michele (Micki) Black, at the ISU Homecoming Parade. When his father fell ill, he left school and returned home to run the family ranch. On August 1, 1961, Dad and Mom wed and continued farming in Teton Valley until he became a real estate agent and then broker for many years.

Dad and Mom had seven children: Tim, Eric (Jaime), Alex (Heidi), Rachel (Enrique), Matt (Angelina), Shannon (Drew), and Jessica (Jeremy). It was Tim and his daughter, Ashton, who took excellent care of Dad during his last year and a half in Pocatello.

Dad was a cornerstone of the youth baseball programs in Teton Valley for decades, frequently coaching all-star teams that traveled throughout South Eastern Idaho playing in tournaments and competing against bigger towns with bigger kids. Nothing brought him more joy than beating those teams who had more size and strength but not the same heart of his kids from the Valley.

Dad always found a way to make it to his kids' sporting events, driving in blinding snowstorms around the state to watch high school basketball games. Giving up on more than one occasion, he was forced to drive behind the team bus, which was behind a snowplow, just to make it home. Dad also got to travel to the first Fiesta Bowl won by the BSU Broncos, taking Mom and his three daughters on that memorable trip with him. He and Mom got to take the trip of a lifetime when they traveled to visit Shannon, who was studying abroad in Cork, Ireland.

Dad was always so proud to be an Idahoan, spending hours talking to anyone not from Idaho about how great the State was. Some of his favorite places were Mesa Falls, Cave Falls, Warm River, Heise Hot Springs, and of course Yellowstone. He took his family to Yellowstone at least once a year and made sure that us kids had a great appreciation for Yellowstone's beauty and uniqueness.

Dad is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bill, Jim, and John; sister Sally DeVille; and his daughter, Shannon. He is survived by his wife Micki, his sister Mary Hawley, his six other children and numerous grandchildren.

The family would like to express gratitude to the wonderful people at Brookdale Assisted Living in Pocatello, residents and staff alike. It was comforting to hear how much he was loved there.

You had a lasting effect on each of us, and we will carry that with us throughout our lives. Thank you for all of the hours of playing baseball and basketball, teaching life's lessons, allowing us kids to "shave" your face when we were little (with a butter knife), countless hours playing pinochle, taking us duck and goose hunting, and so much more.

We will miss you, Dad. Until we meet again…

As per Richard's wishes, no public services will be held.

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