Lou Brissie

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - Funeral Services for Mr. Leland V. Lou Brissie, 89, of White Pine Drive, North Augusta, SC, who entered into rest November 25, 2013, at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Administration Medical Center, Downtown Division, will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Grace United Methodist Church. Rev. James D. Dennis, Jr. and Dr. T. Joseph Lusk officiating. Interment in Pineview Memorial Park with Veterans Honors rendered by The American Legion Jesse C. Lynch Memorial Post #71. Mr. Brissie was a native of Anderson, SC, having made North Augusta his home for the past 38 years. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and a US Army Veteran of World War II receiving the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star and the ETO and American Campaign Medals having served in Italy with the 88th Infantry Division. Mr. Brissie attended Presbyterian College where he received an Honorary Doctorate in 2010. Lou had a distinguished career in Baseball beginning in high school in Ware Shoals, SC, where the famed Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics became aware of his potential. Following World War II where he received severe leg wounds and recovered with a metal brace, he was signed by the Philadelphia A's in Savannah in the Southern League when he was called up by the A's as a Major League Pitcher. In 1949, he pitched three innings with the American League All Star team. In 1951, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. Later he became the National Commissioner of American Legion Baseball taking teams to Australia and Central American during 1954 to 1961. He also served as a Scout for the Milwaukee Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mr. Brissie later entered private industry with United Merchants at their Corporate Office assigned to Employee Relations. He later became associated with the South Carolina Board of Technical Education as Manager of Technical Training Programs for new industries. After his retirement from the South Carolina Board of Technical Education, he served as a Consultant. During his distinguished life, he was a member of the American Legion, Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, The Order of the Palmetto, The Jimmie Dyess Distinguished American Award and The Distinguished American Award from The National Football Foundation-UGA Chapter. President Eisenhower appointed Mr. Brissie to serve on the first Presidential Council on Physical Fitness. He received many awards for his outstanding service to his country and baseball, one of which was the prestigious Audie Murphy Award. On Veterans Day of this year, the Lou Brissie Field was dedicated in Ware Shoals, SC, where he began his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball Player. Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Diana Brissie; two sons, Rob and Tracy Brissie, Greenville, SC, and Aaron and Teresa Smith, Grovetown, GA; three daughters, Vicki and Tommy Bishop, Kingstree, SC, Charlotte and Breck Klein, Aiken, SC and Jennifer Brissie, London, England; nine grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Mr. Brissie was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Morgan Brissie and a son, Ron Brissie. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or the Grace United Methodist Church Building Fund, 639 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841 or the Lou Brissie Field Project, 25 East Main Street, Ware Shoals, SC 29692. The family expresses appreciation to the Physicians and Staff on 2B at the Uptown VA Medical Center and on 5D at the Downtown VA Medical Center for their loving care of Mr. Brissie. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this Friday evening from 5 until 7. Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta in charge of arrangements (803.278.1181). Visit the registry online at www.poseyfuneraldirectors.com