Fenton Thorley Briggs, 89, passed away unexpectedly on February 16, 2012, and returned to his Heavenly Father.

He leaves his beloved wife of 68 years, Elsie Stuart Briggs; his daughter, Annette; his two sons, Larry and Bruce; nine wonderful grandchildren and eleven beautiful great grandchildren, and many close friends and family.

Fenton was born in Cowley, Wyoming on October 24, 1922 to Ivan Richard Briggs and Annabelle Thorley and was the oldest brother to ten loving siblings.

In his early years, Fenton had to grow up quickly. He learned from a very early age the meaning of hard work and was an integral part of the day to day workings of the family farm, helping with his younger brothers and sisters. The untimely death of his mother on April 14, 1940, when he was seventeen years old, deeply saddened him and strengthened his resolve to lessen the burden on his family by being independent.

In the fall of 1940, with the blessing of his father, Fenton enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was subsequently stationed at Fort Douglas, UT. It was during this initial tour of duty that Fenton met the love of his life, Elsie Stuart of Malad, ID. In the spring of 1944, on April 5th, Fenton and Elsie were married. On June 13, 1960, they were sealed to each other and their children in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Fenton and Elsie spent much of their early years of marriage apart because our country’s involvement in World War II required the sacrifice of many. Fenton became a decorated pilot during his Army Air Corps service, both training new pilots in Georgia and seeing active duty in India, flying troops and supplies over the Himalayas into China.

He finished his service career honorably for his country at the conclusion of the war as a decorated Captain. He soared with the eagles.

After the war, Fenton chose a career in sales and became a senior sales executive of Massey Ferguson. Later at the peak of his career, Fenton became the Midwest sales manager at Ford Motor Company tractor division, out of Kansas City, Missouri. On many occasions during his executive career, he was recognized for his sales leadership and exceptional sales records.

Fenton and Elsie retired to Pocatello in 1984 and Fenton was very active in church and community service. He volunteered at the Small Business Administration helping new business entrepreneurs to develop sound business plans, including teaching classes at Idaho State University. He served faithfully in his church callings and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Fenton’s greatest achievement in life was his family. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and loved him.

FUNERAL SERVICE
Highland Third Ward LDS Chapel – February 22, 2012
Bishop Ted Schow, conducting

Famiily Prayer – Bruce Briggs
Prelude & Postlude – Sherry Larsen
Opening Prayer – Ivan Briggs
Life Sketch – Larry Briggs
Speakers – Annette Selders, Mary Ann Sanders & Lou Ciel Taggart
Musical selection by Virginia Semandeni and Ivan Briggs, acc. by Suzanna Briggs – “How Great Thou Art”
Speakers – Keith Briggs, Bruce Briggs & Jim Losthspeich
Closing Remarks – Bishop Ted Schow
Congregational Hymn #292 – “O My Father”, Dolly Briggs, chorister
Closing Prayer – Dolly Briggs

CASKET BEARERS
Larry Briggs
Steve Larsen
Bruce Briggs
Paul Gilbert
Paul Sanders
Patrick Smith

HONORARY BEARERS
Keith Briggs
Ted Ries
Jack Thompson
Rick Jones
Ivan Briggs
Jim Lothspeich
Leon Brook
Richard Briggs
Dick Finlayson
Bill Call
Joe Green

Compassionate service by the Highland Third Ward Relief Society

CONCLUDING SERVICES
Malad City Cemetery
Dedication of Grave – Larry Briggs
Military Rites provided by American Legion Ernest W. Jones Post #65