One of the last of "The Greatest Generation" passed peacefully in his sleep at the home of his daughter on August 21, 2017. Barlow Briggs was born July 26, 1919 as the 4th of five children of Cora Barlow Briggs and George Edward Briggs. He was the father of Berny Rosmait Briggs and Jennifer Briggs West (Arnold). He was husband to Barbara Rosmait Briggs to whom he is sealed to for Eternity. He was also married to Luana Eyre Foulger Briggs for 34 years and Adell Baldwin Briggs for 22 years. At the time of his death he was 98 years old!
Barlow grew up in Layton, Utah during the depression, but he always had some kind of a job and money in his pocket. From an early age he never missed an opportunity to "make a buck" and that drive stayed with him his entire life. His career would be that of "a wheeler dealer". He owned numerous businesses and sold or brokered everything from hot dogs to factories. On his mission and in the service he was always trading and brokering deals to his advantage. The last 40 years of his career were spent in real estate.
He graduated from Davis High School in 1937. In 1939 he was called to serve in the Brazil LDS Mission. It was ONE mission at the time. His mission service had a huge impact on his life. Between jobs, his mission and service in World War II, he attended all 4 major universities in Utah and graduated from BYU in 1947 with a BA in Economics.
Barlow was often lucky. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after his mission in 1942 and his OTC unit was later transferred to the U.S. Navy. He narrowly escaped combat on numerous occasions and eventually ended up as an officer on a training ship in the San Francisco Bay until after the end of the war. He deserved jail-time for his driving skills, but always got off with a warning. He participated in the Utah Honor Flight in 2015 and was the oldest Veteran. He was blessed with remarkable health until just weeks before his death. With his luck and competitive drive he often won whatever game he was playing, from bridge to tennis to golf. And, when he didn't win, he was a bit of a sore loser.
During his officer's training, although it was against the rules for him to do so, he secured a weekend pass and married Barbara Rosmait, also of Layton Utah on August 13, 1943. They were later sealed in the SL Temple. Barbara was able to remain with him for the duration of the war.
Barlow suffered some tragic losses in his lifetime. The first was the early death of his young wife Barbara when she was only 36 and he was 40 years old. He was left with their two children; Berny who was 8, and Jennifer who was only 5. He then married Luana Foulger and became a father to her 4 children; Jim (Eleanor), Richard (Connie), Robert (Judee) and Jeri. He was a great Dad to her kids and loved supporting them, especially in their sporting events. He also really loved his grandchildren from the Foulger kids. His second major loss was the death of his son Berny in 2007. Not a day ever went by that he didn't mourn that. He faced these losses with his trademark optimism.
In 1995, he married his sweet wife Adell Baldwin. They enjoyed about 12 really good years together as loving companions before dementia claimed her mental health. He spent the last 10 years kindly caring for her. In May of this year she suffered a stroke that made it impossible for him to care for her anymore. Without the "DUTY" (which is paramount for this generation of men) of caring for her, he finally let go and allowed his age to catch up with him.
Barlow had an unwavering testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a solid commitment to the LDS Church. He was always active and held various church positions until age 96. He particularly loved his years of service at the Utah State Prison. He was immensely proud of his pioneer heritage and the faith of his ancestors. He was an avid reader and spent hours every day with his nose in a book until the last few days of his life. He loved history, especially U.S. History. He was also an obnoxious grammarian.
Barlow was preceded in death by just about everyone he knew! He is the last of his siblings and most of his friends. He is survived by his adoring daughter Jennifer and her husband Arnold West, who has been an extremely attentive and dependable son-in-law to him. His step-son Rick remained close to him to the end. His four grandchildren will miss him immensely. They are: Joseph West of Tucson Arizona, Andrew Barlow West (Cherie), Cora Jane West, and Camille West (Tony Holiday). He leaves nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren who all loved him dearly. He had 5 great-grandchildren (A.J., Claire, June, Jesse and Bonnie Rae), and many step-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife Adell.
At his age, Barlow was a connoisseur of funerals and lost patience on the 61st minute of the many he attended. His "less than 59-minute funeral" will be held Thursday August 31, 2017, at the Big Cottonwood Stake Center 1750 Spring Lane Salt Lake City 84117 at 11AM. There will be a visitation and viewing the evening before at Larkin Sunset Lawn 2350 East 1300 South 84108 from 6PM to 8PM, and one hour prior to the funeral. He will be interred at the Kaysville City Cemetery next to his wife Barbara and his son Berny.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Utah Honor Flight, or the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.
