Dolph Briscoe, Jr.

Former Texas Governor and legendary rancher and banker Dolph Briscoe, Jr. passed away quietly at his home in Uvalde, Texas on Sunday, June 27 at the age of 87.
Governor Briscoe was preceded in death by his wife, Janey in October 2000 and granddaughter Kate Marmion in January 2008. He is survived by his son Dolph Chip Briscoe, III and wife Jill, of Carrizo Springs, and daughters Janey Marmion and husband Jim, of Asherton, and Cele Carpenter and husband John, of Dallas.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: Dolph DB Briscoe IV, James Leigh Briscoe, Benjamin H. Carpenter II and his wife, MacKenzie, Austin Williams Carpenter, and Bonner Briscoe Carpenter.
First State Bank of Uvalde Chairman and CEO Dickie Geries expressed the sentiments of the Bank personnel.
On behalf of the directors, officers and staff of First State Bank, I want to express our profound sense of loss at the passing of Governor Briscoe, our senior chairman and our friend, said Geries. The contributions made by the Governor to the success of this bank, our community and the State of Texas are beyond measure.
More than anyone in the past century and current decade, the Governor generously contributed his time, financial resources, and influence to promote the best interests of his hometown of Uvalde and the citizens of Texas, Geries added. He represented the very best in a rare breed of Texans and he will be greatly missed by all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and may God comfort and bless them at this time.
Dolph Briscoe, Jr. was the only child of Dolph and Georgie Briscoe, who moved to Uvalde in 1910, to enter the cattle business.
Born in Uvalde, Governor Briscoe was Valedictorian of the Senior Class of Uvalde High School in 1939. He graduated from the University of Texas in February 1943. That same spring he entered the U.S.Army and served as an officer in the China, Burma, India Theatre during World War II. He also married his wife of 58 years, Janey Slaughter Briscoe.
Following the War, Governor and Mrs Briscoe returned to Uvalde to operate his Rio Frio Ranch, a 13,000 acre sheep and goat operation, north of Uvalde.
From 1949 to 1957, he represented Uvalde, Medina, Zavala and Dimmit counties in the Texas Legislature. He was reelected to four terms without opposition. During this time, he coauthored the ColsonBriscoe FarmtoMarket Road Program. The statewide rural road paving program is often credited with getting Texas farmers and ranchers out of the mud. This program directly helped to develop the rural parts of our State.
In 1960, as President of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Briscoe led a group that raised three million dollars in donations to encourage the federal and state governments to launch the Screwworm Eradication Program. The program was an overwhelming success and is considered by livestock growers to be the most important development in the history of the industry, saving producers millions of dollars in animal death losses each year.
Upon his fathers death, Dolph, Jr. became the operator of one of the foremost ranches in Texas. Through careful management and hard work he added substantially to his landholdings and by 1972 he was the states largest individual landowner. Today, Briscoe Ranches operate on over 660,000 acres in nine counties.
In 1960, Briscoe purchased the majority of the shares of stock in First State Bank of Uvalde from Tully Garner and Josh Ashby. Garner had previously received the controlling interest in the bank from his father John Nance Garner, former U.S. vice president. Equally successful in banking, Briscoe was later able to acquire the majority stock of two more south Texas banks: Security State Bank in Pearsall and Zavala County Bank in Crystal City. Briscoe initiated the construction of the current First State Bank building, described by many as the most beautiful bank in Texas. The Governor kept his ranch office there since it opened in 1970.
Throughout his professional and political careers, Governor Briscoe continued to support important civic causes and charities, both locally and across the state. He and Janey set the standard in philanthropic contributions to hospitals, universities, museums the arts, Texas history and a vast multitude youthrelated activities. On a multitude of occasions, their generosity to meet individual human needs was given quietly, without any public knowledge.
Dolph Briscoe was elected Governor of Texas in 1972 on a promise of no new taxes. His was the first and last administration to hold the line on taxes since World War II. He served two terms, from 1973 to 1979. He and former First Lady of Texas Janey Briscoe, served the citizens of Texas with an easy grace and accessibility that purposefully sought to include and inspire people of all walks of life. As a result they had a wealth of friends and admirers throughout the State.
Funeral services will held on Thursday, July 1, 2010, at 10:00 AM at St. Philips Episcopal Church followed by a public reception at the Uvalde Country Club, 407 E. Garden St., Uvalde, TX. Rev. Nick Mayer will officiate. A private family graveside service will be held at a later time. Pallbearers will be Benjamin Howard Carpenter II Austin Williams Carpenter Dolph Briscoe IV James Leigh Briscoe Dr. Steven R. Bailey Kevin James Walsh Dickie G. Geries and John Michael Wilson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Briscoe Western Art Museum, 315 E. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205 or the Kate Marmion Regional Cancer Medical Center, 1025 Garner Field Rd., Uvalde, TX 78801.

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
10:30 AM

Service

Memorial Service

St. Philips Episcopal Church
115 W. Mesquite St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Thursday, July 1, 2010
10:00 AM

Memorial Contributions

315 E. Commerce
San Antonio, TX  78205


1025 Garner Field Rd.
Uvalde, TX  78801