- Jack Lee Briggs of Brandon died from a stroke on November 24, 2018 at Ava's House located on the Sanford Hospital Campus in Sioux Falls, surrounded by family. Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 2 at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. The reception took place at the Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls.
Jack was born in Davenport, Iowa on August 16, 1937 to Arthur and Winifred Briggs. He had one sister and four brothers. He graduated from Davenport High School in 1956. Jack attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa (1956-1960) on a track scholarship for pole vaulting. There he studied history with a minor in political science. Upon graduation, he was accepted to the University of Iowa Law School (1960-1964) on a Scholastic Scholarship. There he met Juli, the love of his life. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. He graduated in 1964.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corp as Sergeant for a Company of 90 Marines and received a Commendation by the Commanding Officer for enabling the successful completion of Individual Combat Training by his Platoon. He served in the Marines from 1963-1968.
He was married to Juli Sullivan on June 18, 1966 in Shenandoah, Iowa. They moved to Davenport where his first job was as Civilian Legal Counsel at the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in Rock Island, Ill.
They later moved to Des Moines where he served as City Prosecutor and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Des Moines. He tried and won a case of "First Impression" in the Iowa Supreme Court. He served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of American Republic Insurance Company in Des Moines.
He belonged to various law associations: American Bar Association; State Bar Association; Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel; American Council of Life Insurance; State Vice President for South Dakota; Chairman of the State Insurance Commission; Member of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel.
While working at The American Republic Insurance Company, he acquired a love for art and began making intaglio art prints. He then served on the Des Moines and Iowa State Art Council. Thus, this inspired him to begin an art collection.
Jack and Juli have two daughters who were born in Des Moines. Courtney Elizabeth Briggs is a 2nd grade teacher in Houston, Texas. She has a daughter, Rylan (17 years) and a son Noah (14 years). His other daughter, Dr. Ashley Brooke Briggs is an Ob/Gyn in Sioux Falls. She and her husband, Jude Goetzinger have two daughters, Ellie (13 years) and Brooklyn (9 years).
The family moved to Brandon. There, Jack served as Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel for Midland National Life Insurance Company. He retired from Midland in 2002 and enjoyed keeping busy doing Pro Bono work.
He served as President of Brandon Lutheran Church, member of YMCA Board of Directors, member of Brandon School Board, Chairman of SD Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.
Jack and Juli loved following their daughters and grandchildren to their various school and sports activities.
Some of his fondest memories were spent with his family showing hunter jumper horses in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. He enjoyed reading, writing, researching, international & national travel with his family and spending summers at Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Jack also enjoyed playing tennis, racquetball, water sports.
In addition to his wife, Juli, children (Courtney and Ashley) and grandchildren (Rylan, Noah, Ellie and Brooklyn) he is survived by his sister, Marian.
He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Winifred Briggs of Davenport, and four brothers.
(Argus Leader, 30 Nov 2018)
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1937 - 2018 (81 years)
