James Wesley Briggs passed away peacefully on March 16, 2012, in Ripon, CA, at the age of 89.  He was born January 8, 1923, in Yellville, Arkansas, to the late Cam and Nanny Briggs.  He is preceded in death by three sisters and one brother.

 Jay is survived by his wife, the love of life for 66 years, Patricia Ruth Briggs, and his daughter Sandra and husband Jerry Flinn of Manteca, grandson John Patrick and wife Carolee Flinn of Granite Bay, CA, and Cynthia Kaye and husband Kevin Alavezos of Manteca, CA.

 John Patrick’s children include Ashley Paige Flinn, age 10, and Abigail Patricia Alta Flinn, age 4, of Granite Bay.  Cindy’s children include Briggs Andrew James Alavezos (Jay’s namesake), age 9, and Ella Kae Alavezos, age 4, of Manteca, CA.

 Jay was educated in Arkansas and entered the U. S. Navy after high school.  He served in the South Pacific during World War II as a Machinist’s Mate First Class.  He was honorably discharged in 1945, and he and Patsy moved to Riverbank, and Jay took a job at Sharpe Army Depot, Lathrop.  He worked there until retirement.  His interests included fishing and gardening.

 Jay was a beloved and treasured husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.  He was defined by his unwavering deep faith in God and his loving devotion to family.  In his later years he especially enjoyed the great-grandchildren.  They brought him total delight.

Jay was a member of First Baptist Church of Manteca where he taught Sunday school as well as served as Deacon and Trustee throughout the years.  There he and Patsy had many wonderful and cherished friends.

 The family would like to thank Sheryl Luukkonen, caregiver, and the exceptional staff at Bethany Home, Ripon, for their love and care during the last six months of his life.

 A visitation will be held Tuesday, March 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. at P. L. Fry and Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca.  A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, 715 East North Street, Manteca, on Wednesday, March 21, at 1 p.m.  A reception will follow the service and burial will be private at Burwood Cemetery, Escalon.



Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Monday, March 19, 2012