Paul Eugene Briggs, age 75

Paul Briggs

Paul Eugene Briggs, age 75, of Kadoka, S.D., died Thursday, June 22, 2017, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
 
Paul Eugene Briggs was born August 28, 1941, in Kadoka, the second of five children born to Beuford and Dorothy (Struble) Briggs. He grew up and received his education in Kadoka, and spent a lot of time as a youth with the Mike Borbely family on their ranch west of Kadoka. He later lived and worked all over the United States on ranches and different construction jobs.
Paul entered the U.S. Army on January 7, 1964, and after his basic training at Ft. Leavenworth, he was stationed at Heisenberg, Germany, and worked on the nuclear warheads. 
 
While on leave, Paul was united in marriage to Sharon Livermont at the Catholic church in Kadoka and to this union were born two children, Tena and Cody. 
 
After his honorable discharge on December 28, 1965, he returned to Kadoka, where he worked for Grable Ditching. Later, Paul worked for Donald Handcock in Long Valley, who was very influential in his life. 
 
In 1975, they moved back to Kadoka, where Paul owned and operated Briggs Construction. He built many dams and dikes in the area. He later worked various jobs in the Black Hills and Wyoming, before settling back in Kadoka, working for the Jackson County and later for the city of Kadoka.
 
Paul was very involved in the Kadoka Fire Department and spent many hours to get the all-weather track at Kadoka, as well as the Kadoka rodeo grounds. Paul was a 50-plus year member of the American Legion Post #27 of Kadoka, and maintained the Kadoka Cemetery for a number of years. Whenever there was work to be done with any organization, Paul would be the first to assist.
 
Survivors include two children, Tena Most and her husband, Jeff, of Ogallala, Neb., and Cody Briggs of Rapid City; three grandchildren, Jesse and Luke Most, and Olivia (Cavin) Kramer; his longtime companion, Joy Schmidt, of Kadoka, and her two daughters, Kristin Schmidt (Cory Boyd) of Kadoka, and Cortney (Jay) Meverden of Rapid City, and their three children, Kyler, Bodey, and Jhayda; two sisters, Bonnie Riggins, of Kadoka and Electa Preslicka and her husband, Doug, of Bradshaw, Neb.; two brothers, Roger Briggs and his wife, Linda, of Rapid City and Robert Briggs of Kadoka; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
 
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, and one niece, Natasha.
 
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 27, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
 
Military graveside services were Tuesday, June 27, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
 
Arrangements were with the Rush Funeral Chapel of Kadoka.
 
His online guestbook is available at www.rushfuneralhome. com

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Newsletter feed
Comment Here