Morton L. Briggs

Briggs, Morton L.

8/21/1945 - 8/3/2023

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Morton L. Briggs, age 77 of Kalamazoo, died on August 3, 2023. He was born on August 21, 1945, in Tacoma, Washington, the son of Morton H. and Almeda (Munsee) Briggs. The family moved to Southwest Michigan in 1952 and Mort lived in the Kalamazoo and surrounding areas during his life. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a lifetime member of the Comstock VFW Post 6252. On February 13, 1998, after ten years of dating, Mort married Debra Britten. For nearly 30 years, he was a press operator with Checker Motors. After retirement, Mort enjoyed camping and fishing. He cherished his time spent taking his boat on the water. He was often found tinkering in his garage and was known for taking his longcuts rather than shortcuts. Above all, Mort loved making new memories with his family. They include his wife, Debra Briggs; his children: Morton H. Briggs, Beverly (Pete) Eckman, Sharon (Brian) Newhouse, and Carolyn Bryant; his grandchildren: Victoria Briggs, Joseph Briggs, Evie Briggs, Connor (Sammi) Bowsher, Bryson Newhouse, Justin Newhouse, Annabelle Newhouse, Sidney Brown, Jr., and Samara Brown; several great-grandchildren; his sister Jeannine Willacker; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters: Maybelle Heintzelman and Betty Gravatt, his brother Gerald "Bud" Simkins, and his son-in-law Ron Cope. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, August 14th, at 10:30 AM at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan. A memorial gathering will be held at the Comstock VFW Post 6252, 5990 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49048, from 3:00-6:00 PM on Monday, August 14th. Donations in memory of Mort may be made to ASPCA. Please share memories with his family at

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