April 23, 1938 – February 12, 2025
Coats Randolph “Randy” Briscoe Jr., a true American success story, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family. The middle son of seven siblings, born in humble beginnings in Marlow, Oklahoma. He spent his childhood working on the family farm where he picked cotton and milked cows, learning the value of hard work at an early age. At a young age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. To ensure Randy also received a formal education, when Randy was seven, his father gave him a horse, Daisy May, which he rode to a one-room schoolhouse that housed grades K-12. There, he excelled academically through the 3rd grade before attending Marlow Public School. When Randy was 14, the family moved to Casa Grande, Arizona. He reluctantly sold his beloved Daisy May, because his parents (understandably) would not let him ride his horse from Oklahoma to Arizona alone. He was always fearless. His work ethic, intelligence, and fearlessness were the foundations of a remarkable life—a life defined by perseverance, adventure, and an unrelenting drive to succeed.
After high school in Arizona, Randy served 20 years in the United States Air Force, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. While in the Air Force, Randy married Reba Kay Shaffer and adopted her two children from a prior marriage, Raymond George Briscoe and Nina M. Blair. On November 4, 1964, while stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Randy, and Reba fathered a son, Coats Randolph Briscoe III “Randy”. The family traveled the world, living in such places as Okinawa, Japan, Arizona, Texas, California, and Florida.
In 1975, Randy retired from the Air Force with honors and moved to Kingfisher, Oklahoma. There, he embarked on a new journey in the oilfields of Oklahoma. He founded numerous oil and gas service companies and later purchased, drilled, owned, and/or operated oil and gas wells across western Oklahoma. While his businesses in the oil patch formed the cornerstone of his entrepreneurial legacy, he was not one-dimensional in his business pursuits. His competitive spirit and tireless determination propelled him to success in banking, farming, ranching, and numerous other business ventures. He was a man who built his life with his own hands, never backed down from a challenge, and always found a way to succeed. Whatever he pursued, he did so with excellence, leaving an indelible mark on every business venture he touched.
A true renaissance man, Randy lived life to the fullest. He was a skilled pilot, flying well into his seventies. To clear his mind, he would follow the channel of the Cimarron River for miles, flying only a few feet above the surface and occasionally touching his landing gear to the water for good measure. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and in years gone by was a fearless competitor on the motocross track. But, he was a cowboy at heart, raising and racing horses, breeding and showing prized longhorn cattle, and all other things that cowboys love. No challenge was too great, no adventure too daunting—he embraced it
all with passion and enthusiasm.
Beyond his professional achievements, Randy was a man of generosity and deep devotion to his family. Five years after Randy lost his wife, Reba, to cancer in 1987, he met his current wife, Jamie Briscoe, and the two were married in 1997. For the next 28 years, Randy and Jamie rarely left each other’s side. In a truly storybook marriage, they traveled the world, cared for their family, and gave graciously to those in need. Randy adored Jamie, and she adored him. He was a beloved father to his children George, Nina, Randy, and his “bonus” children Travis Brown, Shawnna Brown, and Jessica Morey. But his crowning achievement in life came in his most important role–grandfather. Known affectionately as “Papa” and “Poppi”, he was adored by his nine grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. He cherished the time spent with them at the lake, on the farm, at sporting events, snow skiing, riding in parades, and their many other endeavors. His kindness, wisdom, and larger-than-life presence allowed him to teach lessons and build relationships with his grandchildren that will live on in the adults they will one day become. Randy will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, and everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents Coats Randolph Briscoe, Sr. and Francis Malissa Briscoe, son Raymond George Briscoe, daughter Nina Marie Blair, son Coats Randolph Briscoe III “Randy”, and grandson Lane Michael Blair.
Randy is survived by his wife Jamie Briscoe, bonus children Travis and Suzanne Brown, Shawnna and Chris Brown, Jessica, and Tyler Morey, grandchildren Lisa and Zac Black, David and Olivia Blair, Lilly Brown,
Hudson Brown, Campbell Brown, Elliot Brown, Bennett Brown, Miles Morey, Mac Morey, and great-grandchildren Sophia Black, Theodore Black, Eleanor Blair, Elizabeth Blair, and his sister Linda Kenney and her husband Richard Kenney. Though he has left this world, his gentle spirit will live on in the hearts of those friends and family who were fortunate enough to know him.
A celebration of his extraordinary life will be held at the Federated Church in Kingfisher, Oklahoma on February 17, 2025, at 2:00, with military honors to commemorate his dedicated service to his country.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Center of Family Love in Okarche in honor of Randy’s commitment to giving back. Rest now Papa/Poppi. You ran your race well. Your legacy will live on in the lessons you taught, the love you shared, and the countless lives you impacted.
Under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.
