Buford Gary Briggs

Buford Gary Briggs, 74, of Bayou Vista, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Ochsner St. Mary, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on September 14, 1951, in Henderson, Texas, to Thurma Welch Briggs and James Bailey Briggs, Buford served his country as a proud veteran of the United States Army. He carried that same spirit of service into his work as co-owner of Bayou Plant Farm, where his dedication and deep love for the land left a lasting mark on his community. A man of wide-ranging interests, he was an enthusiastic football fan who cheered for the Saints and LSU, filling his home with energy and joy on game days. He was also an avid reader with a particular fascination for history and science, and he found great pleasure in rock and roll music, often playing it while tending his garden or relaxing in his cherished man cave.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Ann Olivier Briggs; daughters Melissa Briggs Canone and husband Matthew, and Mariah Briggs Christie and husband Ross; bonus daughters Claire Simmons and husband Toby, and Leah Dupree and husband Aubrey; grandchildren Maggie Canone, Marley Canone, and Lochlan Christie; bonus grandchildren Eliza Simmons, Bailey Deason, and Amber Merchant; siblings Sherry Smith and husband July, Penny Beck, and Kenneth Briggs; sisters-in-law Roxanne Benoit and husband Brian, and Debra Merchant; brother-in-law Johnny Olivier and wife Prissy; nephew Curtis Merchant and wife Sabrina; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Buford was preceded in death by his parents, Thurma and James Briggs; siblings Joey, Lynn, and Karon Briggs; mother-in-law Margaret Otto; father-in-law Frank Otto; brothers-in-law Lynn Otto and Richard Olivier; cousin Jerry Wayne Deason Sr.; and nephew Jerry Wayne Deason Jr.