Obituary: Edward Wesley 'Wes' Briggs

• Deceased's name: Edward Wesley 'Wes' Briggs
• Age: 85
• Date: Aug. 6, 2012

Edward Wesley “Wes” Briggs passed away peacefully at home in Reno, NV, on Aug. 6, 2012 at age 85. 

Wes was born April 3, 1927 in Los Gatos, CA to Edward Everett Briggs, and Emma Mae (Hook) Briggs. His father was Los Gatos Postmaster and his mother was formerly a teacher, both longtime Los Gatos residents.

Wes lost his brother, Frank E. Briggs in 1947 at age 23. Wes was the grandson of Frank Everett Briggs, owner of F.E. Briggs and Son Grocery on No. Santa Cruz Avenue, one of Los Gatos’ earliest businesses. 

Wes graduated from where he was quarterback on the football team. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII and was honorably discharged when the war ended in 1945.

Wes married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Anne Truitt in 1947 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage, celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on July 13, 2012. Their union gave them three wonderful children, Leyanne, Timothy, and Merrianne. 

Wes was the owner/operator of a Mobil Gas and Service station on Santa Cruz Avenue in the 1950s.

The Briggs lived for a brief time in Red Bluff where they built, owned and operated the Kreme King Drive-In Restaurant. Wes was later an auto mechanic at other local service stations in both Los Gatos and Santa Rosa and became a sales representative for Justice Brothers Automotive Supply Company in Santa Rosa.

He and his wife loved to travel the U.S. with their fifth wheel travel trailer after retirement. He loved to garden and hold family gatherings. He was especially fond of his dogs and loved Wood ducks, which he raised for a time.

The Briggs family lived primarily in Los Gatos and surrounding areas until the 1970s. Wes and Pat moved to Santa Rosa and Sebastopol then on to Magalia, CA for several years, where they built their dream home on beautiful country acreage.

They have spent the past 10 years in Reno, to live near their daughters and their families and to be closer to their son and his family.

Wes was a loving, gentle, caring, generous, funny and hugely loved husband and father, father-in-law, grandpa, great-grandpa, son, and friend.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Truitt Briggs, his children, Leyanne Clarkson, Tim Briggs, and Merrianne Duarte. He has nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He will be missed.