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Melvin L. Briggs
1931-2008
Melvin L. Briggs, 77, Stanley, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2008.
He was born May 18, 1931, in Butler, Mo., to R.C. and Jessie Lee Shultz Briggs.
He was a member of the Amsterdam Baptist Church.
He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean War, serving his country proudly.
He married Norma Eisele, and they had two sons, Steve and Bryan.
Later, he married Susan Luttrell, and they had a son, Mark, and a daughter, Leann.
He followed in his father’s footsteps by starting his own sod business. He was known in the Kansas City area as the grandfather of the sod business. In the early 1970s, he represented his fellow sod farmers as president of the K.C. Turf Association. For several years he served as the Kansas State Representative for the American Sod Producers Association. He was also known for selling the Zoysia plugger, and plugs which were shipped worldwide.
Another one of his accomplishments was co-inventing the B & E mower.
In his attempt to retire, he continued in the nursery business and a large cattle operation. His hobbies were working, fishing and winning at the craps table. He loved traveling to the Turf Producers International Convention and touring other sod farms. He met many friends from all areas of the world. Another one of his joys in life was attending local auctions. He was most known for helping others start their own sod businesses, giving advice and helping anyone in need.
He was dearly loved and will be missed by his family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Donald, Riley Jr. and Hubert.
Survivors include his brother, Wilbur Briggs of Freeman, Mo.; sister, Dorothy McBee of Stilwell; three sons, Steve Briggs, of Stanley, Bryan Briggs of West Line, Mo., Mark Briggs of La Cygne; one daughter, Leann Briggs-Lewis of Olathe; two grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a special friend, Tutty (Gertrude) Skivers.
Services were Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Stilwell, followed by burial in Floral Hills Cemetery. Arrangements are by Penwell-Gabel Louisburg Chapel, 120 S. Broadway St., Louisburg, KS 66053, 837-4310. To leave condolences for the family, visit www.penwellgabel.com.
Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Stilwell.
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He was born May 18, 1931, in Butler, Mo., to R.C. and Jessie Lee Shultz Briggs.
He was a member of the Amsterdam Baptist Church.
He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean War, serving his country proudly.
He married Norma Eisele, and they had two sons, Steve and Bryan.
Later, he married Susan Luttrell, and they had a son, Mark, and a daughter, Leann.
He followed in his father’s footsteps by starting his own sod business. He was known in the Kansas City area as the grandfather of the sod business. In the early 1970s, he represented his fellow sod farmers as president of the K.C. Turf Association. For several years he served as the Kansas State Representative for the American Sod Producers Association. He was also known for selling the Zoysia plugger, and plugs which were shipped worldwide.
Another one of his accomplishments was co-inventing the B & E mower.
In his attempt to retire, he continued in the nursery business and a large cattle operation. His hobbies were working, fishing and winning at the craps table. He loved traveling to the Turf Producers International Convention and touring other sod farms. He met many friends from all areas of the world. Another one of his joys in life was attending local auctions. He was most known for helping others start their own sod businesses, giving advice and helping anyone in need.
He was dearly loved and will be missed by his family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Donald, Riley Jr. and Hubert.
Survivors include his brother, Wilbur Briggs of Freeman, Mo.; sister, Dorothy McBee of Stilwell; three sons, Steve Briggs, of Stanley, Bryan Briggs of West Line, Mo., Mark Briggs of La Cygne; one daughter, Leann Briggs-Lewis of Olathe; two grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a special friend, Tutty (Gertrude) Skivers.
Services were Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Stilwell, followed by burial in Floral Hills Cemetery. Arrangements are by Penwell-Gabel Louisburg Chapel, 120 S. Broadway St., Louisburg, KS 66053, 837-4310. To leave condolences for the family, visit www.penwellgabel.com.
Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Stilwell.