James Benton Briscoe

James Benton "Jim" Briscoe "slipped the surly bonds of Earth" on September 6, 2016, in Oklahoma City, OK, at the age of 94. He was the child of James Lawrence Briscoe and Roxie Benton Briscoe, and was born on April 7, 1922, in Tucumcari, NM, where he grew up. Jim attended the University of New Mexico before joining U.S. Army Air Corp, and proudly served his country during World War II; he remained in the U. S. Air Force after the war. During the war he served as an Instructor Pilot, training combat bomber pilots. After WWII, Jim was assigned to the 55th Strategic Recon Wing, where he served until his retirement. During his military career Jim flew the B17 Flying Fortress, the B29 Superfortress, the B50 Superfortress, the B36 Peacemaker, and the EB/RB47 Stratojet. During his years in the service he was stationed in Guam, Okinawa, Alaska (mapping the Arctic), Puerto Rico, Merced (CA), Shreveport (LA), Topeka (KS), French Morocco, Greenland and Japan. After retiring from the USAF as a Major, Jim completed his education, receiving his MBA from Oklahoma City University. In his long and varied life, Jim had three loving wives: Harriet "Hattie" Carlock, Susan "Susie" Taylor, and Carol "Maggie" Spruill. Jim is survived by his wife Margaret Carol Briscoe, his little buddy Bandit, his children, James David Briscoe & wife Cheri, Donna Briscoe Paige, Karen Briscoe Morgan & husband Joe, Mark Robertson & wife Susan, Caroline Wood & husband Stephen, Jennifer Robertson, Sarah Trimmier & husband Jim, Susannah Garza & husband Fred, grandchildren, Shane Wood, Elizabeth Grandt & husband Michael, Kate Robertson, Matthew & David Robertson, Susan Jane Garza, James Patrick Briscoe & wife Sarah, Kathleen Beker & husband Cristian, Joanna Stitt & husband Gareth, Jeffrey & Lexi Paige; great-grandchildren, Tyler James Hall, Kiryn, Tristan, Lucca, Sebastian, Ruby, Willow & Oliver Paparella, Judah Grandt, Aria & Lyric Stitt, James Arthur Briscoe, David Briscoe, Emily, Hans, Sofia & Liam Beker, and one great-great-granddaughter, Trinity Evie Ray Hall, and Carol's children, Billy Joe Cowan & wife Nickie, and Cindy Cowan, and grandchildren, Ronnie & Melissa Howe. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Jennie Elizabeth Briscoe, his wife Susan Briscoe, his sons Andrew & Timothy Robertson, and his great-granddaughter Aquila Paparella. Jim loved to play the piano, and once built a harpsichord for St. David's Episcopal Church in Topeka, KS. He has been a member of All Souls' Episcopal Church for many years, participated as a Stephen's Minister, was a Lay Reader, and received the Rector's Award, with his wife Carol, in 2001. Services will be officiated by Father Patrick Bright on Monday September 12, 2016 at 11:00 am, at All Souls' Episcopal Church; 6400 N Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City. Memorial gifts may be made to All Souls' Episcopal Church and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand, and touched the face of God."