James Walter "Jim" Briscoe

JAMES "JIM" WALTER BRISCOE, 65, of Powderly, threw his hat for the final time on Saturday June 22, 2013 at his residence. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday June 26, 2013 in the chapel of Starrett Funeral Home with Rev. Chad Lamb officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Long Cemetery, where he will rest beside his beloved Gale.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Jim was born May 19, 1948 in Paris, a son of Jack and Mary Katherine Carroll Briscoe. He was a graduate of East Lamar High School and attended Paris Junior College. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving in Chu Lai with 198th Brigade, Fifth Battalion, 46th Infantry Americal Division, and during the Tet offensive he was injured in the conflict. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with V, for Valor. He left the military with the rank of Sergeant/E5, returning to Lamar County to begin a long career in the trucking industry. He was a partner in Midcoe Transportation from its inception in 1988 until 2006. Along with his son Doug established Shining Star Brokerage in December, 2006, where he was currently an integral part of its daily operations. One of his greatest joys was drag racing, and he enjoyed over fifteen years of participation in that sport, making many good lifetime friends.

Jim married Gale Smyers on September 2, 1967 in Powderly. She preceded him in death at the untimely age of 56 on March 15, 2006.

In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Dorothy Lou Briscoe Morgan.

Left behind to cherish his life and memory are two sons, Brad Briscoe of Paris and Doug Briscoe and wife Angie, of Brookston; a daughter, Jennifer Sawyer and husband Eric, of Blossom; three grandchildren, Jake Briscoe, Caleb Sawyer, and Madisyn Gale Sawyer; three brothers, Robert Briscoe and wife Mary, of Detroit, Bill Briscoe and wife Nita, of Reno, and Scott Briscoe and wife Cindi, of Powderly; a sister, Jolene Stellpflug and husband Leo, of Paris; two aunts, Bobbie Poer, of Slaton and Clara Jo Lane, of Lubbock; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends whom he loved.

Named to serve as pallbearers are Randy Locke, Johnny Exum, Carl Lucas, Marty Hicks, Mike Middleton, Jimmy Newsom. Honorary pallbearers are Reggie McDowra and Phillip Lamb.