Charles Huntington Briggs, 80, of Albany passed away on Thursday at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Charles was born in Jamaica Queens, N.Y., to Harold Milton and Audrey (Rowland) Briggs. When he was 12, the family headed west and settled in Albany where Chuck attended Grand Prairie Grade School and graduated from Albany Union High School in 1951. He attended OSU for a short time studying courses in agriculture.
He married his first wife, Betty, and they had three children: Charles Jr., Michael and Dorinda. They later divorced. Chuck worked for Nebergall Meat Co., Wah Chang, and eventually North West Natural Gas Co. During training trips to Portland he met Jane who had also been divorced and a mother of two boys: Terry and Brian. They married in 1965 and moved to Albany. Chuck and Jane had two sons together: Eric and Zachary. Chuck worked for NW Natural for over 30 years, owned and operated Willamette Gas Service, owned apartments and two four-plexes, and Albany Skateway Roller Rink, as well as a small farm in North Albany.
Charles is survived by wife Jane Briggs of Albany; sons Michael Briggs and wife Pam, Terry Collins and wife Brenda, Brian Collins, Eric Briggs and wife Kristie, and Zachary Briggs and wife Nikki; daughter Dorinda Wilmont; brother Chris Briggs and wife Lagale; sister Barbara Cotterman and husband Jack; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son Charles Briggs-Nix.
A visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home, and a memorial service will be announced at a later time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints Missionary Fund.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).