John Reed Brigance
Oct 7, 1959 - Sep 9, 2014
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger
 

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

John Reed Brigance, 54, of Norman passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2014 after a brief and unexpected illness.  He was born October 7, 1959 in Lawton, Oklahoma to Vendall and Gisela (Werle) Brigance.  He was the third of five children and loved all of his siblings deeply and without equivocation.

He always took the best from everything and made it his own.  His Father’s Military career allowed him the opportunity to live in many wonderful places and instilled in him a devout love of our Country.  From his mother he learned the value of family and commitment to the service of others and love of fine German food.  He never hesitated at the opportunity to prove his lineage by serving the most wonderful adaptations of dishes that he learned from his mom. 

John earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma.  It was at the University that he met several wonderful and outstanding people that became his life long friends.  Friendships that come to many as a one time thing, came easy for John.  And no one ever was a stranger to him.  If you were blessed to be his friend you were his family. 

John was a renaissance man.  He loved the arts but was passionate about getting his hands dirty under the hood.  He was a history major with a minor in Engineering.  He loved challenges but reveled in simple things like a good fire at the holidays.  He loved the security of his home but he never was afraid to take a risk. 

Perhaps, the most apparent example of this can be seen in his recent endeavor to start his own company, Pro Tec Orthotics.  A business venture that would not have been possible without the guidance and tutelage of Bill Shelton.  To him, John and his family were and are eternally grateful. 

In 1992 he married his one and only true love Kathryn (Maguire) Barton.  Together they built a life around their child Michael.  John never failed to show his love to his son and his wife.  His devotion to them was shown regularly.  And his pride in his son was echoed often to those around him. 

A man of few words perhaps, but he was not a man of few deeds.  Each and every one of his family and friends always could count on John to be there for them in their times of need.  Whether you called him at two in the afternoon or midnight, if you needed him he would be there for you.  For that, all are eternally grateful.  The void that he has left will never be filled. 

He was preceded in death by his father.  John is survived by his wife of 22 years, Kathryn (Maguire) Brigance; his mother, Gisela Brigance; his son, Michael Brigance; three brothers Ray Brigance, Charles Brigance and wife Mary Joe and children Megan and Tori, and Michael Brigance and wife Laurie and son Brice Brigance; and his sister, Patricia Brigance.  John is also survived by his mother-in-law, Irene Maguire; two sisters-in-law, Mary Maguire and husband Jay Brown and son Jay Brown, Linda Moulder and husband Randy and children Coleman Jernigan, Kyle and Ryan Moulder; and his brothers-in-law, Joe Maguire, Ed Maguire and wife Pam and their family Martin, Piper, Lyric, Anthony and Maxwell.  He is also survived by close family friends, Jack and Jennifer Keefer and children Kelley and Taylor along with many many others to include but not limited to: Dr. John Taylor, Hartman, Bob Larkins, Deb and Neil all of you were in his final thoughts. 

Christian Burial Rites will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2014 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 3939 W. Tecumseh Rd. in Norman officiated by Deacon Byron Jacobson with interment following at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Norman.