Murray Benjamin Briggs, 88, died Monday, February 20, 2012, at his home after a struggle with reoccurring cancer. He was born to Benjamin and Sylvia Briggs on January 8, 1924, in St. Anthony, Idaho. He grew up and spent most of his life in the Newdale area.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He attended elementary school in Newdale and attended Sugar Salem High School. He played basketball and football, lettering in both sports. He graduated from high school in 1943.

He joined the US Navy in 1944, and served as an aviation machinist mate with CASU 31, Hilo Base in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He came back home to work on the farm with his father. He married Shirley Brandley in 1963. They had one son, John B. and Murray parented Shirley's three daughters from her first marriage. Murray and Shirley were later divorced.

Murray continued farming and raised John alone, and did a great job. They are very close.

Most of his life was farming and raising livestock. He was watermaster on the Enterprise Canal and served as commissioner for the canal district. He worked at the Silver Horseshoe in St. Anthony and at several potato warehouses in the winter.

Murray married Frances "Fran" Cain Evans in 1983. They lived on the farm for 18 years, and then moved to Sugar City in 2001. He also acquired 6 grown children from Fran's first marriage to whom he has given much needed advice over the years. He enjoyed bowling, music, dancing, traveling and sports. He was a huge BYU sports fan.

Murray is survived by his wife, Fran of Sugar City, son John (Heidi) Briggs of Newdale, two sisters, Stella Hardy of Rexburg, and Ruby Morris of Ogden, Utah; step-children, Cherie (Randy) Flick, Karen (Gary) Weaver, Laurie (Lynn) Carlson, Tamara (Dee) Stevens, Lori Bates, Janice (Chris) Sorenson, Douglas Evans, Sheryl (Jose) Gonzales, 35 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother John "Jack" Briggs, sister Bessie Smith, niece Marla Jean Smith, nephew Ken Allen Smith and a stepson Mark Evans.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24, at the Sugar City Stake Center. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and Friday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the stake center prior to services. Burial will be in the Teton-Newdale Cemetery with military rites by the Madison County Veterans and Idaho Honor Guard.