Donald “Don” K. Briggs, 86, of Kearney died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Wel-life in Kearney.
Graveside services will be Monday, March 11, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Lonna Grabenstein P.M.A. officiating at the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska. Military Rites will be provided at the Cemetery by the North Platte Veterans Group and the Nebraska National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be Sunday, March 10, 2013 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. The family will greet friends at the funeral home during visitation. Memorials are suggested to the Don Briggs Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation. A message of condolence, tribute, or memory may be sent to www.hlmkfuneral.com Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements.

Don was born July 25, 1926 in Broken Bow to George and Anna (Livingston) Briggs. He lived on the Midway Ranch, 12 miles south of Broken Bow and 11 miles north of Oconto. He graduated from Broken Bow Dist. 25 in1944. He worked in the area until he was drafted into the Army on June 12, 1945. He served in the Army until he was discharged on Oct. 29, 1946. Following his discharge, Don earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Kearney State Teachers College. After graduation, Don taught at Lyman (NE) High School from 1951 to 1956 and was the principal in 1955-1956. He taught English and journalism, advised the yearbook and newspaper until the mid-1960’s. He was the college publicity director, sports information individual and the alumni director from 1959 to 1975. In 1975, he became the full-time sports information director, a position he held until retiring in 1991. While at KSC, Don was very involved with the NAIA. He served as advisor to the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) Fraternity from 1957 to 2003. Of the many awards Don received, on both national and local levels, he felt especially honored by receiving the UNK Distinguished Alumni Award and being inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame. Don received the Kearney Hub Freedom Award for volunteer service in 2004.

Don is survived by his brothers; Russell and Delores Briggs of Lexington, KY, Gary and Martha Briggs of Wayzata, MN, George and Jan Briggs of Arlington, TX, sisters; Margaret Briggs of Kearney, NE, Joyce Munnell of Kearney, NE, Leah and Clair Burnett of Anselmo, NE, Carol Herbin of Bellevue, NE, and Retha Harris and Cheryl Briggs, both of Springfield, IL, and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by 2 Brothers Dean and Robert Briggs, and Sister Janis Penny.


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