Fred Harold Briggs

Fred Harold Briggs, 94, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in Lakeview on Wednesday, February 9, 2022.

Fred was born in Horseshoe, North Carolina on March 12, 1927, to Fred Roland Briggs and Sallie Kate Briggs. He moved to Oregon as a child and then lived in Lake and Harney County for the rest of his life. He spent his last years in Paisley.

Fred started working on the MC ranch in Adel at 14 years old, driving a log truck at 16 years old, and soon after became a self-employed logger. He served in the Navy from March 1945 to July 1946. He logged for Fremont Sawmill until 1986 and he also owned and operated a Cattle Ranch in Harney County where he would work on the weekends. After he completed his time logging, he worked on his ranch full time until 2012. He was a hard worker and never stopped working, even at 94 years old he was still driving his tractors around his property.

Fred met and married Betty Ruth Driggars. They were married in 1948 and raised three daughters together: Janie, Judy, and Donna. They were married 59 years before Betty passed.

Fred’s hobbies included buying and working on equipment, fishing, watching the news, hunting, and viewing wildlife.

He will be missed greatly by family and friends. In his final days, he took great comfort in being prayed over and having the Bible read to him, including this verse from John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” His family is comforted knowing he is at peace and with Jesus now.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; daughter, Janie and her husband Arbee Freeman; his sisters DonnaVee O’Leary and Helen Brummett; and his brother Earl Roland Briggs.  

He is survived by: daughter and son-in-law Judy and Pat Walsh of Prineville; daughter and son-in-law Donna and Jim Nicholl of Lakeview; brother and sister-in-law Gary and Donna Briggs of La Quinta, CA; grandchildren Kris Anderson of Lakeland, FL; Shay Freeman of Rogue River, OR; Brandy Lockwood of Rogue River, OR; Lauri and John Stoffel of Grants Pass, OR; Cherina and Gabe Bales of Prineville, OR; Jessie and Luke Reardon of Redmond, OR; Joey Nicholl of Chico, CA; and Samantha Nicholl of Redmond, OR, and great-grandchildren Cody, Jake, Chase, Emma, Anna, Keegan, and Paisley.

A celebration of life will be held on March 19, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Desert Rose Funeral Chapel in Lakeview, followed by a graveside memorial at Sunset Cemetery.

Donations and contributions can be made to Lake County Food Share, PO Box 1303, Lakeview OR 97630, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

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