Charles Willard "Chuck" Briggs

Charles (Chuck) Willard Briggs passed away at his home in North Port, Florida on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. Chuck was born on February 11, 1932 in Rockford, Iowa to Charles R. and Eleanor M. Briggs. He attended school and college in Rockford and Mason City, Iowa area. He enrolled in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served in the Military Police, as well as guarding trains with supplies heading for the front. He was a disabled veteran and suffered from Type 1 diabetes for 64 years, until his death. He married the love of his life, Doris Jorgensen, after 7 dates, and had been married for 62 years, until his death. Two children were born of this union, Kirk L. Briggs of North Port, FL and Bryan C. Briggs (deceased). There are two grandchildren, Adam & Ivy Briggs both of North Port; cousins, Steve Briggs of Sarasota and Dan Briggs of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and a niece, Merilynne Anderson of Salmon, Idaho. His brother, Merle Briggs, sister, Irene Merfeld and his parents predeceased him, as well as his son, Bryan C. Briggs of Nokomis, FL. He worked for Kemper Insurance Company of Chicago, in the Mason City, Iowa office and transferred to the Tampa, Florida Office as Asst. Claims Manager, later moving to Venice, FL as a Vice President of Blalock Insurance Agency in charge of Claims Division for many years until his retirement. He received the Member of the Year Award from the Mason City Junior Chamber of Commerce for his enthusiastic endeavor to bring military planes to the air shows in Mason City, Iowa, calling the White House directly for assistance. He cared deeply for the preservation of the history of the Briggs Family, and has it traced back to the 1500's when his relative, John Rodgers, was burned at the stake for not deciphering the Bible according to the Queen of England's wishes. He enjoyed golfing with Doris and had a love of aviation, unable to get a license, his wife, Doris, got her pilot license and they flew together for about 2000 hours, in their own airplane throughout Florida, Bahamas and the Midwest before selling it. Farley Funeral Home, North Port Chapel is caring for arrangements. There will be no services and he will be buried in a family plot in Rockford, Iowa. Any memorials may be forwarded to the Diabetic Association for research or Tidewell Hospice.