Albert H. Brigance was born September 13, 1932, near Keota, Oklahoma. He is the second of six children born to Otto and Okla (Christenberry) Brigance. He graduated from Keota High School in 1951. His Bachelor Degree was complete as an honor student at Southeastern State University, Durant, Oklahoma, in 1955 while serving in the Air Force. He served in the Air Force from 1953 through 1957 and attained the rank of Staff/Sergeant. His career specialties included flight simulator technician and education specialist. He did a tour of duty in Japan while serving in the Air Force.
He and Pat Hicks met while attending Southeastern State University and were married at Durant, Oklahoma, March 31, 1956. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1957 he began his teaching career in Fresno County, California. Their two daughters Rebecca and Royce were born in Fresno while they were living there. He completed his Masters Degree at Fresno State University in 1960. In 1960 the family moved to La Puente, CA, where Al continued his teaching career with the Hudson School District. He did post graduate study in school administration, special education and school psychology at the California State University - Los Angeles, University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. While living at La Puente he and Pat became guardian of Irene Dee and JoAnn Zook. In 1965 the family moved to Eureka, CA, where Al served as school psychologist for 12 years with the Humboldt Co. Supt. of School’s Office.
His first book was published in 1976 and the second in 1978. Following the publication of his second book he took early retirement from the California School System to devote full time to writing and teacher training. In 1979 he chose to move to Maryville, TN, in order to be in a central location and so that traveling nation wide to do teacher training and consulting would be easier. Mr. Brigance authored more than 40 books which have been used nation wide as well as some used internationally. He has been a major author with Curriculum Associations of North Billerica, MA, since 1976 and recently Phoenix Learning Systems in Pennsylvania. Special Honors include naming to: The Wall of Fame at Keota High School, Keota, OK, Who’s Who in American Education, 1994, Who’s Who in America, 1995, Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. For his accomplishment in education, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from South Eastern Oklahoma State University where there is a scholarship fund established in his name. After moving to Tennessee, the state in which his Brigance ancestors had settled in the 1780’s -- 200 years prior, he began researching and compiling the Brigance Genealogy. In 1981 he began coordinating the nation wide Brigance Reunion. He published the Brigance Genealogy in 1982. It was revised and published in two volumes in 1995. He published the Christenberry Genealogy, his maternal ancestors, in 1984.
He attended church regularly throughout his life. He was led to accept the Lord by the witness of a close friend James Williams who later became a Baptist Minister and has continued a close relationship with him throughout the years. He was baptized at the Hacienda Heights Baptist Church in California. He attended the First Covenant Church while living in Eureka and after moving to Maryville attended Maryville First Baptist Church and Fairview United Methodist Church. He departed this life on the top of Mt. LeConte on September 11, 2007, at the age of 74 years.
He is survived by: his wife of 51 years, Pat; two daughters, Rebecca Brigance of Seymour, TN, and Royce Jackson and husband Randy of Maryville, TN; foster daughter, Irene Dee Damron and husband Don of Maryville; grandson, Sgt. Matthew Haynes and wife Christa, Phillip Damron and wife Bea, Kenneth Damron and wife Michelle; granddaughters, Jamie Garrett and husband Luther, Cindy Densmore and husband Shawn; great-grandchildren, Mattie and Katie Garrett, Benjamin and Abby Simons, and Montana and Lisa Damron; sisters, Mrs. Frances Buchanan and husband Clarence of Quinlan, TX, and Mrs. Patsy Adnerton of Planto, TX; brothers, James Brigance of Las Vegas, Louis Brigance of Stigler, OK, Loyd Brigance of Greenville, TX; several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday September 16, 2007, at Fairview United Methodist Church with Dr. Jerry Russell officiating. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Saturday September 15, 2007, Smith Trinity Chapel. A private entombment will be held at Grandview Mausoleum. Memorial donations may be made to: Blount County Library, 508 N. Cusick Street, Maryville, TN 37804; Spark Plug Sunday School Scholarship Committee at Fairview United Methodist Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville, TN 37803; Mt. LeConte Lodge, 250 Apple Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862; or the South Eastern Oklahoma State University Foundation, PO Box 4187, Durant, OK 74701-0609.
Please sign the guestbook online at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.
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Teri Tighe
October 5, 2007
Pat and family,
My deepest sympathy for you and the family. Al will be missed tremendously. He was an amazing man and very helpful with anyone who needed him. I will miss his insight and information on the Brigance family research most of all.
My prayers are with you and the family.
Teresa Johnston
September 18, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.I'm a decendent of the Christenberry family and I have a genology book he published,I believe from 1980's.I'm the fifth daughter of Esther(Christenberry)and Estel Holstead. Teresa Johnston
George & Ann Vollmer
September 16, 2007
Dear Pat & Family:
Please accept our deepest sympathy in Albert's passing. He was truly a fine, accomplished man who will be missed by all who knew him. We profoundly appreciate the greatness of your loss, and we want you to know that it is with our sincerest sympathy, and hope that time will lighten your grief.
Pat and Merlin Huddleson
September 15, 2007
Pat and Family,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Al. Our family has special memories of time spent with you folks. Appreciated Al's help at TLC! Love, Pat and Merlin Huddleson
Debi Tirsbeck
September 14, 2007
Becky and Family I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. You are in my thoughts. Debi Tirsbeck
Mark Huddleson
September 14, 2007
I was saddened by the news of Al's passing. I had recently contacted Al and was able to correspond with him a couple of times in recent years.
May the Lord welcome Al into the Kingdom.
Lois Roper
September 14, 2007
Dear Pat & Family,
So sorry to hear of Albert's passing. We send our love to all of you. Lois & Marvin Roper
Neal Carpenter
September 14, 2007
So sorry to hear of your loss. It's been too long since I've seen you nice folks. My thoughts are with you all...
Lori Dinsmore
September 14, 2007
Becky and Family,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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