Obituary: Gordon Briggs, M.D., 88, Scottville. 

July 24, 2017

Dr. Gordon Briggs

Obituary: Gordon Briggs, M.D., 88, Scottville. 

Gordon Arthur Briggs M.D., 88, affectionately known as “Doc,” was taken home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 18, 2017. Gordon was born on July 28, 1928 in Ferndale, the son of Harold A. and Della (Murdick) Briggs and graduated from Romeo High School in 1946.

Gordon loved agriculture and served as State President of the Michigan Future Farmers of America (FFA) during 1946-47. He attended Wayne State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1953, and on November 22, 1952, married the love of his life Carol Weppler.

While operating a farm in Mayville, Gordon decided to further his education from the University of Michigan where he earned his medical doctorate in 1964. Gordon continued to pursue his love of farming while operating a family practice in Hemlock and serving as an emergency room physician for St. Luke’s Hospital in Saginaw.

Gordon and Carol decided to move their family and farm to Scottville in 1977 operating what has become known as Briggs Heifer Haven Farms with his sons and grandsons, while continuing his medical practice in Saginaw. In 1985 he left St. Luke’s and served as an Emergency Room Physician for Memorial Medical Center in Ludington.

Gordon was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was extremely devoted to family. He was a compassionate doctor and dedicated farmer whose life has affected countless lives.

Gordon will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 64 years, Carol; his five sons: Gordon Briggs and wife Sue of Scottville, Pastor Dale Briggs and wife Kathy of Tucson, Ariz., John Briggs, M.D. and wife Susie of Fremont, Greg Briggs of Scottville, Scott Briggs and wife Jeanene also of Scottville, and his daughter Joy Assaad M.D. and husband Haney Assaad M.D. of Muskegon. Gordon will also be missed by 23 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his sister Betty Kellog and husband Elmer of McMillan, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and great friends.

Dad and grandpa will be greatly and deeply missed by us all, yet we rejoice that he is with the Lord. We grieve, but not as those who do not have hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Funeral services will be held for Gordon at 12:30 p.m. on (change in date and location): Thursday, August 3 at Mason County Reformed Church in Scottville with his son, Pastor Dale Briggs, officiating. Burial will take place at Brookside Cemetery in Scottville. Friends may meet with the family for a time of visitation on Wednesday evening, August 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville, and on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Those who wish to remember Dr. Briggs with a memorial donation are asked to consider Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ludington, or the Glen Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund in St. Ignace.

Please visit Gordon’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to leave a tribute or memory of Dr. Briggs for his family, or to light a candle in his memory.

 

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