John Oliver Briggs

A Celebration of Life will be held for John Oliver Briggs on October 14, 2017 at 11:00 at Grissom’s Chapel & Mortuary, San Lorenzo, CA. 

John was born February 3, 1985 in Castro Valley, CA and passed away September 24, 2017 in San Leandro, CA.  He is deeply missed by family and friends. 

He is a 2003 graduate of Arroyo High School where he played 4 years of varsity football and attended San Jose State University. 

John’s love for animals was evident early on – his adventure of choice as a child was a visit to the Oakland Zoo, later attending Zoo Camp, then volunteering as a docent.  He achieved his dream job as an Elephant Keeper and Browse Keeper.  Though he left the zoo professionally, his heart always remained with his beloved elephants. 

Among John’s favorite things were his love of bacon, music, movies, goofball photo poses, books, lemon jello cake, costume parties, bacon, friends, family, football, swimming, his vast menagerie of pets, & bacon.

John is survived by his father, Richard Briggs, mother, Michelle Baptista, step father, Bill Baptista, sister, Laura Dougherty, brother in law, Pat Dougherty , niece Skylar, step sister Kimberly Baptista and step brother Matt Baptista. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate in John’s memory to the Oakland Zoo. Mention John's name in the phone number section when submitting your donation on line or email ccorona@oaklandzoo.org to let her know your donation was in the memory of John Briggs.

https://tickets.oaklandzoo.org/webstore/shop/viewitems.aspx?CG=don&c=donate