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TAHLEQUAH -- J.L. Briscoe
J. L. Briscoe was born May 3, 1928, in Barnsdall, to Ival J. and Amy (Rusk) Briscoe. The family moved to Okmulgee, where J.L. graduated high school in 1946.
He loved music, and played the clarinet, guitar, mandolin and violin. His great love was sports. He played football, basketball and baseball through his high school years. As a senior, he was voted "Captain of the Year" in football.
After graduating high school, he volunteered to serve in the "Army of Occupation." Later, he was assigned to the 71st Signal Service Battalion and was shipped to Japan. He served 18 months, and was discharged with the rank of T-4.
He returned home, and enrolled in junior college in Independence, Kan., where he held down a first-string position on the basketball squad. He also played football as a senior; he was again voted "Captain of the Year" in football. While at IJC, he was voted second in Eastern Kansas Junior College Passing Division in football.
In 1948, he was elected "Campus King" in a popular vote by the junior college student body. After graduating from IJC, he moved to Tulsa, and enrolled in the University of Tulsa, where he graduated with a bachelor of science in business administration.
J.L. was employed by Mid-Continent Oil Company, now Sunoco. In 1986, he retired after 35 years with the company.
He married Norma Pennington in 1949. They were active members of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Tulsa for 32 years. J.L. served as a deacon for several years. After their pastor retired, they joined Christ United Methodist Church.
J.L. and two other members volunteered to work for Tulsa Habitat for Humanity.
After a few months, the three decided to be co-founders for retirees and formed a new branch of Habitat; the director dubbed them "the miracle workers." J.L. was with Habitat for 12 years. This group of retirees built many new houses. In addition, they renovated churches in Oklahoma City, Moore and Claremore. They worked on a retreat for cancer patients in Durant, renovated the Frances Willard Girl's Home in Tulsa, and a church cabin on Fort Gibson Lake. They also worked with the Hispanic ministry and an Indian church and many other projects. J.L. said, "It was a great privilege and a wonderful feeling of satisfaction to help others."
After living in Tulsa for 55 years, J.L. and Norma moved to Go Ye Village in Tahlequah in 2005. They attended chapel services under the teaching of Chaplain Paul Tavener.
J.L. Briscoe departed this life on Thursday, April 1, 2010, in Tahlequah, at the age of 81 years. His passing came after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, as well as several years battling Alzheimer's. He loved and was loved by his wife, daughter-in-law, two sons, two daughters and their husbands and their children, nieces, nephews and many friends. We will all miss him!
The family will celebrate J.L.'s life at a private service. Services have been entrusted to the care of the Hart Funeral Home of Tahlequah.
The family asks that those wishing to make memorial donations do so to the Alzheimer's Association, Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter, 6465 S. Yale Ave., Suite 312, Tulsa, Okla., 74136-7804; or the American Cancer Society, 5110 S. Yale Ave., Suite 101, Tulsa, Okla., 74135.
Hart Funeral Home, 1506 N. Grand, 456-8823.
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