Sam "Duane" Briggs

Sam “Duane” Briggs, 89, of Eau Claire, WI, passed away peacefully to his Lord on August 4, 2018, at his home. Sam suffered from congestive heart failure and was in the care of his wife, Beverley, of nearly 66 years, assisted by St. Croix Hospice. Duane was born May 8, 1929 in Whitehall, WI, to Almon and Luella (Elland) Briggs, the eldest of 5 boys. He attended Blair High School where he participated in FFA, boxing, baseball, and basketball. After school, he peeled potatoes for his mother’s lefsa and helped out at his dad’s Mobil station. Duane’s Blair H.S. class of ’47 had 26 graduates. In that year, he was a guard on the basketball team that went to the state finals prior to schools being separated by division. After graduation, Duane moved to Eau Claire, WI, earning an Associate’s Degree in Accounting while living with 3 friends from Blair. The friends decided since Duane was so adept at giving then all nicknames, he should have one. They decided on Sam Scratch and Sam has stuck ever since. Sam met Beverley Ann Erickson and they were married in Eau Claire on Sept 21, 1952. Sam and Bev raised seven children, 5 boys and 2 girls. Sam was employed as a bookkeeper for Craig Motors which sold Packard cars and Diamond T Trucks. With an opening in the parts dept., Sam was asked to help. Sam then worked for Southern Minnesota Supply (SM Supply) as a salesman of automotive parts and supplies for 11 years. January 1966, Sam founded Sam’s Auto Supply along with his wife, Bev, on Wisconsin Street in downtown Eau Claire. He opened a second location on Water Street in Eau Claire in 1972 which only operated for a couple years. Additional locations were opened over the years at Hastings Way in Eau Claire in 1977, Whitehall, WI, in 1978, Menomonie, WI, in 1984, and Altoona, WI, in 1988. Sam and Bev sold the auto parts business to their three eldest sons in January 1991. All seven children worked at Sam’s Auto Supply at some point. He enjoyed traveling, visited 23 countries with wife, Bev, and also several U.S. states while traveling in their motorhome. Winters for several years were spent in Arizona until moving there permanently for 15 years, after which, summers were spent traveling. Sam and Bev moved back to Eau Claire to be near family in 2014. Sam enjoyed most sports, golf, playing cards, travel, fishing in Canada, clowns, and passing out bubble gum to kids. His favorites included the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers, but most particularly, the Chicago Cubs. He was passionate about baseball and influenced many young lives as a coach of Lowes Creek Little League and Eau Claire Babe Ruth for a combined 10 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the 13 year old prep league so 13 year olds didn’t have to ride the bench. Sam was also in involved with the Sunrise Exchange Optimist Club, past president of the Wisconsin Auto Parts Assoc., board member of both IWA Auto Parts and Automotive Northern Warehouse, and was Wagonmaster for Sun City RV Club. Sam is survived by his loving wife, Beverley; 4 sons and 2 daughters, Ann (Robert) McDougall, John (Linda) Briggs, Jerry (Jeanne) Briggs, Roger (Penny) Briggs, Mary (Scott) Atkins, Donald (Pamela) Briggs, and daughter-in-law, Betty Briggs; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brother, Thomas (Nancy) Briggs; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Almon and Luella Briggs; son, Allen Briggs; brothers, Robert Briggs, Wesley Briggs, and Billy Briggs. A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2018, at Saving Grace Lutheran Church, 2124 Eastridge Center, Eau Claire, with Pastor Nick Henseler officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave, Eau Claire, and again one hour prior to services at the church. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Eau Claire. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to Faith Lutheran Mission Church, 1704 Hogeboom Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Service Information

Visitation

Wednesday, August 8 2018
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home
814 First Ave
Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Thursday, August 9 2018
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Saving Grace Lutheran Church
2124 Eastridge Center St
Eau Claire WI 54703

Funeral Service

Thursday, August 9 2018
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Saving Grace Lutheran Church
2124 Eastridge Center St
Eau Claire WI 54703