The Rev. Robert Houston Briles Sr., 85, passed away Saturday morning, Sept. 6, 2014. Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church of Weatherford. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Greenwood. Pallbearers: Everett Goar, Joe Lee, Leo Neely, Tom Porter, Robert Duvall and Danny Bruce. The Rev. Briles was born June 20, 1929, and was raised in Milford. He graduated from Milford High School, received his B.A. from Southwestern University in Georgetown, followed by a master's degree from Texas Christian University's Brite Divinity School. Before graduating from Southwestern University, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War, from 1952 to 1953. His experiences in Korea shaped his life as a husband, father and pastor. He committed his life to God in Jesus Christ at a young age and always considered himself a shepherd, tending his flock. In February 1956, he met Irene Gregg while serving in Poolville and they married in June of that year. They spent 56 wonderful years together until her death in 2012. He was an elder in full connection with the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served 15 different congregations from 1951 until his retirement in 1994. Bob served as a Master Mason in good standing for over 50 years and was a member of Whitt Lodge #624 for the last 30 years. While living in Weatherford, he provided support and leadership at Manna Storehouse for over 25 years. The family would like to express appreciation to the nursing staff of the Palliative Care Unit at T.H.R. Harris Methodist Hospital and Community Hospice at the James L. West Special Care Center. The Rev. Briles was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; son, Robert H. Briles Jr.; parents, James Otis and Bertha Briles; brother, James Otis Briles Jr.; sister, Nina and her husband, Boyd Barnard; and sister, Margaret and her husband, Bill Schroeder. Survivors: He was a loving father to Susan Briles, Mary Katherine "Cassie" Gresham and husband, Joe; and grandfather to Sara Elizabeth Dixon and husband, Jonathan; and his future great-grandchild due in January 2015; and niece, Linda Bradford.
Published in Star-Telegram on Sept. 10, 2014