Eugene LeRoy Briggs Jr.

Eugene LeRoy (Roy) Briggs, Jr., died on Wednesday, October 28 after a period of declining health. Briggs was a native of High Point, born to Louise Stanwood Collier and Eugene Leroy Briggs, Sr., in 1923. He graduated from High Point High School in 1940, and earned a degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1944. He volunteered for the United States Naval Reserve, and served as an engineer through the end of World War II.

A lifelong member of High Point Friends Meeting, he served on the building committee for the current meetinghouse built on Quaker Lane in 1953. He held multiple positions in the home furnishings industry, including that of a salesman, the owner of a frame manufacturing company, a representative for the North Carolina Industrial Extension at NC State, and as a lobbyist for the furniture and upholstery industry. He participated in the High Point Furniture Market for most of his life, and was recognized for attending well over 100 markets. In his final years of service, he operated as a consultant for international furniture manufacturing.

Briggs was married twice. He had two daughters: Maria Butler Hosmer-Briggs of Syracuse, NY, and Dr. Louise Briggs Andrew of Victoria, BC. (Canada). His second marriage resulted in a son, Benjamin Briggs of High Point. He had four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Among his interests were architecture, history, music, and photography. In the late 1970s, he served as the leading voice of a grassroots organization that sought to maintain High Point Hospital in its North Elm Street location rather than relocating it north of the city. He was also deeply involved with the Bienenstock Furniture Library, the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, and the High Point chapter of SCORE. He was most recently a resident of River Landing at Sandy Ridge.

A small service is planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to High Point Friends School at 800-A Quaker Lane, High Point, NC 27262.