Joe E. Briscoe

JUDGE JOE E. BRISCOE, a lawyer, longtime churchman in Texas, a veteran of World War II and a regent at two different universities, died Wednesday, April 4th at his home in Devine, Texas. Mr. Briscoe was born in Devine on May 8, 1914. He lived in San Antonio from 1923 to 1946 and then returned with his wife to Devine until the time of his death. Mr. Briscoe graduated from San Antonio Junior College in 1933 and the San Antonio Public School of Law in 1936 with an LL.B Degree and was later awarded an honorary LL.D degree from the University of Corpus Christi, which he served as a Trustee. He was also a former member of the Texas Cavaliers in San Antonio. Mr. Briscoe was a Regent of Baylor University for 18 years, including service as vice chairman of the board, and was granted the Alumnis Honoris Causa by Baylor. He and his wife established undergraduate and law scholarships at Baylor that help educate hundreds of students each year. Mr. Briscoe served in the Pacific Theater of Operation for three and a half years during World War II in the Quartermaster Corp and was discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel. He graduated from the Quartermaster School in Philadelphia and the Command and General Staff School in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, during his time in the service. He practiced law in Devine from 1938 to 1979 except for the war years and served as judge of the Medina County Court of Law from 1979 to 1991. He served until 2001 as a visiting judge in the district courts and county courts at law in 21 different counties in South Texas. He was a fellow in the State Bar Foundation and a member of the college of the State Bar. Mr. Briscoe was also a developer, building five subdivisions in Devine with more than 200 houses. He helped organize and served as director of Castroville State Bank and of Gill Savings & Loan Association. Mr. Briscoe accepted Christ as his Savior at First Baptist Church in San Antonio in 1926, and married his wife, Gene Aubrey Hargis Briscoe at that church, Dr. Perry Webb officiating, on Nov. 25, 1941. He served as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Devine, starting in 1948. He was twice chairman of the deacons and a Sunday school teacher for nearly 50 years. Judge Briscoe also served as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He participated in two Christian crusades overseas in the Philippines and Nigeria. Judge Briscoe is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gene Aubrey Briscoe; two daughters, Dr. Harriet Harral and her husband, Paul, of Fort Worth, and Joanne Jones and her husband Ben, of Spring Branch; four grandchildren, Huard Harral of Irving, Texas; Aprile Westbrook of Fort Worth; Bailey Jones of Austin; Corinda Fellers of Dallas; and seven great-grandchildren. Those who would like to honor his memory with a memorial may wish to contribute to the First Baptist Church or to a charity of your choice. Family will be receiving friends at the familyÕs home, 412 Jefferson, Devine, on Friday, April 6, 2007 from 4:00PM until 6:00PM. There will be no visitation at the funeral home prior to the service. Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00AM Saturday, April 7, 2007 at Evergreen Cemetery, with interment immediately following. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00PM Saturday, April 7th at the First Baptist Church in Devine. Arrangements under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, Devine.