Donald "Little Donne" James Briggs, III

Our charismatic and beautiful, Donald "Little Donne" James Briggs, III, age 21, of Lemoyne, NE, died on, Monday, June 24, 2019 from a drug overdose at his home at Admiral's Cove in Lemoyne.

Donne was born April 12, 1998 to Donald James Briggs, Jr. and Letisha Ann Briggs in Chandler, AZ. He was one of three boys who grew up in Alaska.

Outwardly, Donne looked like he had it all: intelligence, confidence, athletic ability, height, beautiful blue eyes, broad smile, fantastic wit, and the ability to engage and forge a relationship with anyone. Inwardly, Donne was sensitive and had struggles that he hid well from his close and loving family and friends.

We loved Donne with all of our hearts, but we now know that was not enough to shield him from the world. This note isn't an attempt to assign blame for Donne's death. It's not to vent our anger and frustration at a world where drugs are an epidemic and easily attained. We write this obituary in hope that it may provide an insight to those that need to change their behavior one night at a time.

Donne worked for a company as a hydraulic specialist and worked on fishing vessels as seen in the Deadliest Catch, in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He also worked as a heavy equipment operator, he became an accomplished chef, all in just 21 years of life. With his seemingly endless positive traits, he had the potential to be anything he wanted to be, but drugs began to creep into Donne's life. As trouble hit, his father stepped in and forged an incredible bond with Donne. Although Donne could never be completely honest about the trouble he was in, his love and respect for his family became a lifeline over the last few years. He successfully completed drug rehab several times, but the craving that comes from true addiction was more than he could overcome.

While we always felt we had some grip on Donne's issues, his ability to hide and disguise his addiction proved superior to our families sixth sense. The worry that we have felt watching Donne struggle, has been replaced by a deep feeling loss that now exists knowing we will never see his smiling face again. Despite these troubles, we can smile knowing that the last communication we had with Donne was to say, "I love you", just as it should be.

To all children, this note is a simple reminder that there are people who love you with everything they have and no matter what you do, don't be too afraid/ashamed/scared, to ask for help. To all parents, pay attention to your children and the world that revolves around them, even when the surface is calm, the water may be turbulent just beneath. Donne's struggles have ended. He is finally at peace. We will miss him every minute of everyday. Our lives will be forever changed.

We love you Donne.

This obituary was initially written by a family for a young man, near my sons age, who had passed, Clay William Shephard. November 25, 1992-May 17, 2015. When we came across this it detailed our boy to a T. We made a few slight changes but felt compelled to use it.

He is survived by; his father, Donald "Donne" Briggs, Jr. (Beth Cleary) of Rhode Island; his mother, Letisha Briggs, of Wasilla, AK; 2 brothers, Devon Briggs, of Idaho; Carsyn Briggs, of Alaska; grandparents, Scott and Rene Weber, of Admirals Cove, Lake McConaughy; Greg (Sondra) Cummins, of Wasilla, AK; Darwin Edin, Anchorage, AK; great-grandmother, Darlene Romine, of Admirals Cove, Lake McConaughy; Don Briggs, SR., of Wisoconsin; an uncle, Trent Weber, of Ogallala; 2 aunts, Rochelle Edin, of Alaska; Alexandra Cummins; the love of his life, Emily Trinidad, of Idaho; and many cousins, friends and family who will miss him dearly.

Memorial Services will be held, 1:00 p.m., Sunday, June 30th, 2019 at the Sandhills Fellowship "Little White Church" in Lemoyne, NE with Pastor Bill Forbes officiating.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.