Clarence Abner Briggs

Clarence A. Briggs, Jr. passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, May 27th 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington, Texas 76013. Services will be on Friday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Wade Funeral Home. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. Moore Memorial Gardens, Arlington. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Clarence's name to Widowed Persons Service of Tarrant County, 2906 SE Loop 820, Suite A, Fort Worth, TX 76140. He was born on September 27, 1929, in Tulsa, OK to Clarence Briggs and Euna King, the third of four children. When Clarence was 2 his mother fell ill and the four siblings were sent to live with different relatives, Clarence to an aunt in Arkansas. At the age of 12, he went to live at the Tulsa Boys Home. While living there he attended Tulsa Central High School where he met his future wife, Clara Matlock. He graduated from High School and in October 1947 he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic on various aircraft carriers. On Christmas Eve in December of 1950, while on leave, Clarence married Clara Matlock. They enjoyed a brief honeymoon in Joplin, Missouri. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1951, Clarence attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, Oklahoma while Clara remained in Tulsa with her parents, working and taking care of their first child, Dave, who was born in 1953. Clarence graduated from A&M with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering with an aerospace option. In June 1956 he moved the family to Fort Worth and started his engineer career at General Dynamics. In addition, he began night school in September 1958 at SMU, which was also the year his daughter, Cheryl was born. He completed his studies at SMU in 1964 with a Masters in Engineering. During that time his second son, Gary was born in 1963. In1962, he changed jobs, going to work for Ling-Temco-Vought, where he worked for 32 years, retiring in 1994. Following retirement Clarence began taking computer classes at Tarrant County College, eventually teaching in the Senior program. He loved teaching the computer classes and was recently recognized for 25 years of service. Following the death of his wife Clara in 1997, he became involved with the Widowed Persons Service of Tarrant County. He eventually served as President for 9 years and following a few years off was requested again to serve and was in his third year at the time of his death. During his time with the Widowed Persons he arranged cruises for the group going to destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexico, Jamaica, etc. Clarence also enjoyed the get-togethers - breakfasts, dinners, dances, etc. that the group always had. There was also the grief support that was there for the people within the group; he once said that he felt like it saved his life. He was especially known for his great big hugs. Everyone said they were special. Clarence also enjoyed travel, reading, music, dancing and just being around people, He will truly be missed. Clarence is preceded in death by his wife, Clara Matlock Briggs; sons, Dave Briggs and Gary Briggs; brother, James Briggs; sister, Mildred Staneck. Clarence is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Briggs and her husband Joey Lankford; brother, Robert Briggs and his wife Josephine; granddaughters; Sharise Briggs and her husband Chris Sleasman; Stephanie Martin and her husband Dan; grandson; Dylan Briggs; granddaughter, Aycee Briggs; great-grandson, Joshua Briggs; and several nieces and nephews; many, many dear friends. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233