Milton Leon Briggs

Milton Leon “Joe” Briggs, 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. He was surrounded by loved ones, and at the exact moment of his passing a single loud thunder-clap vibrated the sky. Joe was born in Cedar Hill, Texas on November 4, 1938. He was one of Delmar and Annie Mae’s six children.

As a young man Joe fell in love with fast cars, so much so that he took up the hobby of drag racing in his ’56 Pontiac Convertible. His enthusiasm for the sport was contagious, and before long he had his first wife, Patricia, racing and beating all of his friends on the track.

But his love for racing paled in comparison to his love for his family. He adored his six children, and beamed with pride as each one was born. It was after his second child and daughter (Linda) was born that he accepted Jesus as his savior. In 1958, after reading Romans 8 with his pastor, William Hawkins, he prayed and asked Jesus into his heart.

With a God-given talent in mechanics and automobiles, Joe spent his professional career working as a machinist building airplane parts, and then, after a bad accident at the shop, he started driving 18-wheelers. It is said that he could drive the rig backwards for over half a mile without swerving a bit.

As his children grew, he slowed down a little with his second wife, Pepper. He enjoyed his yard work, and doing odd jobs around their home. One of his favorite retirement activities was putting in a few hours at his son, Milton’s shop. There he got to work a little and visit a lot. He and Pepper enjoyed numerous family gatherings for the holidays, and grandkids’ and great grandkids’ baptisms and birthdays. He and Pepper also spent their time caring and loving on Bear, their little dog.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Annie Mae Briggs, brothers Billy Briggs, Wallace Briggs, and Wayne Briggs, and son, Steven J. Briggs.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Pepper Jo Briggs, sisters Judy Sasser, and Ann Daves and Bob, sons Milton Briggs, Jody Briggs and Kristi, and Shane Briggs Hamilton, daughters Brenda Hutchinson and Tracy, and Linda Wright and Andy, Grandchildren, Michelle Dietrich and Chris, April Mills and Josh, Andrea Bernsen and Charles, Jewel O’Fallon and Adam, Collin Briggs, Lauren Briggs, Gretchen Briggs, Misty Chavez, Julie Curtis and Billy, Michael Briggs and Cassidy, and great grandchildren Trinity Spangler, Houston Dietrich, Hayden Dietrich, Holden Dietrich, Tristan Thomas, Lynnlee Bernsen, Rion Curtis, Elijia Bernsen, Fayden Lindsey, Evan Hamilton, Kiley Hamilton, Jason Lee Briggs, Allie D-Anne Briggs, Kayla McCain, Christopher Chavez, Ashley Chavez, Anthony Chavez, Joseph Eckert, and Josie-Grace Eckert.

A visitation for Milton will be held Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, Texas. A funeral service will occur Monday, February 12, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Trinity Baptist Church, 2212 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, Texas. An interment will occur at Moore Memorial Gardens, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers are Chris Dietrich, Adam O'Fallon, Charles Bernsten, Aaron Baggett, Tim Vallone and Collin Briggs.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Briggs family.