"Dr. Briscoe taught me as a grad student at UT Austin in about 1979: The topic was a dry required course about the mechanics of thesis writing. Dr. Briscoe had no difficulty in making it interesting! His human kindness showed through at all times. Additionally, I will never forget that on the last day of class he gave a matter-of-fact talk about the importance of balancing one\'s life (physically, mentally and spiritually), in which he also touched on the three founts of knowledge. If memory serves, he spoke of knowledge from personal experience, from other people\'s experience, and divine revelation, i.e., the Bible and other ways God may choose to reveal Himself. This short speech of wisdom and Christian witness impressed me greatly for the unself-conscious, non-preachy, and entirely natural (and courageous) way in which he delivered it. All these four-plus decades since, I have remembered Dr. Briscoe with much admiration and affection. I have no doubt that he was much used by Christ."
In loving memory of
Laurel Andrew Briscoe
October 19, 1929 - March 7, 2020
Dr. Laurel Andrew Briscoe, "Doc,"
October 19, 1929 to March 7, 2020
Laurel Briscoe joined his heavenly Father on March 7 at the age of 90. He was born in Los Angeles, California to Cecil and Juanita Briscoe. He attended Los Angeles public schools and received his BA, MA, and PhD (at that time technically called Doctorate of Education) from UCLA. Laurel married Muriel Anne Hoag on July 11, 1953. They had three sons: Kevin, Scott, and Todd. He served two years in the US Army during the Korean conflict, where he had the great joy and privilege of serving as a chaplain's assistant for the duration. For thirteen years he taught Spanish and later served as supervisor of foreign language student teachers (UCLA and Los Angeles School District). He moved to New Mexico where he spent three years writing Spanish textbook materials with colleagues. He was a professor of Foreign Language Education at UT in Austin for twenty-one years. Dr. Briscoe was sought far and wide by PhD students and faculty alike for his remarkable editorial and proofreading skills. Hence, the development of his acclaimed, exhaustive "Writing and Research Methods" course at UT, designed for those with the daunting task of writing their doctoral dissertations.
One of Doc's favorite activities was playing the piano. A virtuoso classical and sacred pianist, he began piano study at the age of twelve. "Laurel, get off that piano and go do your chores!" was reportedly the regular parental command early on. He became church pianist within a year, and went on to play for several churches in Los Angeles and Austin. He played frequently throughout the years for various retirement centers and nursing homes throughout Austin and Dripping Springs, including twenty-five years of free monthly concerts at Austin's beautiful Westminster Manor. Perfect punctuality being one of Laurel's many natural strengths, the audience thoroughly enjoyed looking at their watches and bursting into joyful laughter as the elevator doors to the little concert area opened at precisely 7:29 PM. Their beloved pianist entered the room, smiled his warm greeting, and silently proceeded to the piano. The music began at precisely 7:30 PM without fail for those 25 years. But the entertainment began one minute prior with the maestro's entrance.
The same wonderful pastor who taught Laurel piano also encouraged him to begin Scripture memorization, also at the age of twelve. This discipline of Bible memorization was to become a lifelong friend and treasure, bringing much-needed comfort, assurance, and guidance throughout the storms and joys of life. Dr. Briscoe was a member of Kinney Avenue Christian Fellowship for many years, and taught Sunday School there for a class of beloved friends. He then joined the First Baptist Church of Dripping Springs and was a member there for roughly a year at the time of his passing. Laurel also loved and served with his musical gifts during his years in Austin at Allandale Baptist Church and Scenic Hills Baptist.
Laurel was preceded in death by his wife Muriel Briscoe of Austin, his parents Cecil and Juanita Briscoe of Los Angeles, his two sons Kevin Andrew Briscoe and Scott Matthew Briscoe of Austin, his sister Phyllis, and brother Lauren. He is survived by his wife Muriel's son Todd Lawrence Briscoe (Helen) of Kyle. Doc is also survived by his son Lynn Scott Kelbell (Karen) of Ramsey, Minnesota and Bethany Ann (Kelbell) Noland (Joseph) of Rockwall, by Thelma Elaine Kelbell. He is also survived by grandchildren: Janie Marie Kelbell, Timothy Matthew Kelbell (Emily), Bethany Joy Noland, Karis Ann Noland, Paul Anthony Sena, Tanya Marie Conness (Trenton), Sarah Beth Sena. And great-grandchildren: Devin Sena, Kaitlyn Sena, Ryan Conness, Anthony Conness, and Cynthia Conness.
Funeral service 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at Kinney Avenue Christian Fellowship. Burial will follow at Forest Oaks Memorial Park, Austin, TX with Military Honors.
Given Doc's infamous and comically vocal opinions on flowers ("Flowers? Why give flowers, they die! Now an egg beater, that's what you should give someone!"), the following is included: in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Voice of the Martyrs, 1815 SE Bison, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 74006.
Tributes
"A remarkable man! Thank you for friendship and prayers. Djo & Scotta Petmecky"
"1959-61 University High. My beloved Spanish teacher and forever friend. He gave me \"Letters of the Scattered Brotherhood\" for graduation and wrote, \"But the peace that you have shared with love, Will forever fill our lives.\" That\'s what I got from him. Judith McGinty"
"We do not grieve as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Thank you, Dad, for having given so much of yourself to me."
"Praise God for a life well lived. For the music he shared, the scripture he shared, his lively wit. He will be missed but know he is home with his Lord."