Melvin Ray Briggs, 90 years old, of Sherman, Tx, died Friday, June 6, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Melvin was born November 18, 1934, in Adair, Oklahoma, the son of James and Bessie (Calvert) Briggs. He married his high school sweetheart, Patsy Poynor, on May 8, 1954, in Claremore, Oklahoma.

He also joined the US Air Force in 1954. He was a crash and rescue firefighter in the Air Force. He and Pat started their family, of 3 sons and a daughter, at this time and moved from base to base across the United States. Melvin left the US Air Force in 1966 and entered civil service as a crash and rescue firefighter. Over the years, he served in France, Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, AZ, Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK, Perrin Air Force Base in Sherman, TX, Carswell Air Force Base in Ft Worth, TX, and Dallas Naval Air Station in Grand Prairie, TX. He retired from civil service in 1987.

Melvin and Pat joined Forest Avenue Baptist Church when they moved to Sherman and have been very active members ever since.

Melvin was an exceptional athlete, and that didn't change after his retirement. He joined National Health Studio, where he routinely whipped opponents in the game of wallyball. He enjoyed spending time at the Senior Citizen Center in Sherman, where he exhibited his outstanding billiards, dominoes, and 42 skills.

He and Pat enjoyed fishing and boating on Lake Texoma, traveling the United States in their R.V., especially when their family members would join them. Melvin was a sports fan and loved watching his beloved OU Sooners play.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patsy Briggs of Sherman, sons, Ricky Briggs of Sherman, Steven Briggs and wife, Joanna of Ratan, NM, David Briggs and wife Vicki of Heath, TX, daughter, Pamela Bentley and husband Bobby of Sherman, 10 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bessie Briggs, brothers, Howard Briggs, Billy Briggs, and sister Barbara Morehead.

The family will receive friends at Waldo Funeral Home, on Monday, June 9, 2025, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Forest Avenue Baptist Church, with Rev. Bryan Taylor officiating.

Pallbearers will be Larry Blevins, Tim Johnson, Randy Clark, Tom Cox, Mark Armstrong, and Mike Bennett.

An interment with military honors will follow the service at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman.

The family asks that memorial gifts be made to Forest Avenue Baptist Church Building Fund (106 W. Forest Avenue, Sherman, TX 75090) or to Pancreatic Cancer Research (https://pancan.org/?form=FUNGMWGYGJJ ).

Online condolences may be made at www.waldofuneralhome.com .