(March 9, 1928 – Nov. 7, 2008)David (Dave) Thorley Briggs, 80, died Friday, Nov. 7 at his home in Byron, with his wife, Naomi, by his side.He was born in Cowley on March 9, 1928, to Ivan Richards Briggs and Anabel Thorley. He was the third son of 11 children — six brothers and four sisters.Dave was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints his entire life.He received his primary education in Burlington and graduated in 1949. During and following high school, he worked with his father on the farm before being called on a mission for the LDS Church in New Zealand. He served a three year mission, from 1949 to 1952.He married Naomi Abraham of Byron on Sept. 3, 1954, in the LDS Salt Lake Temple.Following his marriage, Dave was drafted into the Army. He attended basic training at Fort Ord, Calif. and was then assigned to the Munich, Germany, base dental clinic. He attained the rank of Corporal. Upon leaving the military in 1956, he returned to the Big Horn Basin and attended Northwest College, graduating in 1958. He later moved to Pullman, Wash., where he entered Washington State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational agriculture in 1961.He returned to Byron after graduation and began farming and working in his father-in-law's dairy. He then took a teaching position at Cowley High School where he taught vocational agriculture and advised the FFA for three years.In 1964, he relocated to California where he worked for 14 years for San Diego County as a deputy probation officer, first in a youth honor camp in Campo and then at the El Cajon office.Dave left San Diego in 1978, returning to Byron and working on the farm with his brother-in-law. He loved farming and working outdoors, and, according to his family, he enjoyed the quiet, peace and personal satisfaction associated with those efforts.He is survived by his wife, Naomi; his children, David Briggs (Sandy) of Findlay, Ohio, Margaret Ann Jesperson (Chris) of El Cajon, Calif., Todd Briggs (Carol) of North Richland Hills, Texas, Glen Briggs (Mitzi) of Powell, Keith Briggs (Mina) of Sahuarita, Ariz., and Norma Elizabeth Frost (Sean) of Byron; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James.Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Byron LDS Church. Burial was in the Byron Cemetery under the direction of Haskell Funeral Home.

(March 9, 1928 – Nov. 7, 2008)

David (Dave) Thorley Briggs, 80, died Friday, Nov. 7 at his home in Byron, with his wife, Naomi, by his side.

He was born in Cowley on March 9, 1928, to Ivan Richards Briggs and Anabel Thorley. He was the third son of 11 children — six brothers and four sisters.

Dave was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints his entire life.

He received his primary education in Burlington and graduated in 1949. During and following high school, he worked with his father on the farm before being called on a mission for the LDS Church in New Zealand. He served a three year mission, from 1949 to 1952.

He married Naomi Abraham of Byron on Sept. 3, 1954, in the LDS Salt Lake Temple.

Following his marriage, Dave was drafted into the Army. He attended basic training at Fort Ord, Calif. and was then assigned to the Munich, Germany, base dental clinic. He attained the rank of Corporal. Upon leaving the military in 1956, he returned to the Big Horn Basin and attended Northwest College, graduating in 1958. He later moved to Pullman, Wash., where he entered Washington State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational agriculture in 1961.

He returned to Byron after graduation and began farming and working in his father-in-law's dairy. He then took a teaching position at Cowley High School where he taught vocational agriculture and advised the FFA for three years.

In 1964, he relocated to California where he worked for 14 years for San Diego County as a deputy probation officer, first in a youth honor camp in Campo and then at the El Cajon office.

Dave left San Diego in 1978, returning to Byron and working on the farm with his brother-in-law. He loved farming and working outdoors, and, according to his family, he enjoyed the quiet, peace and personal satisfaction associated with those efforts.

He is survived by his wife, Naomi; his children, David Briggs (Sandy) of Findlay, Ohio, Margaret Ann Jesperson (Chris) of El Cajon, Calif., Todd Briggs (Carol) of North Richland Hills, Texas, Glen Briggs (Mitzi) of Powell, Keith Briggs (Mina) of Sahuarita, Ariz., and Norma Elizabeth Frost (Sean) of Byron; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Byron LDS Church. Burial was in the Byron Cemetery under the direction of Haskell Funeral Home.