Sam Briscoe, 91 of Gladstone, MO, passed away March 24, 2020. Funeral Services will be private with burial at White Chapel Memorial Gardens.

Sam was born September 7, 1928 in Kansas City, MO to Thomas and Carmella (Grego) Briscoe. Sam lived most of his life in the Historic Northeast area of Kansas City attending St. Aloysius Grade School and graduating from Northeast High School in 1945. Soon after High School graduation, Sam joined the U.S. Navy and served two tours as a radio operator 2nd class from the end of World War II and into the Korean War. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve. After his time in the military, he attended Rockhurst College for two years. He married the love of his life, Martha Payne, on September 13, 1958 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church. After nearly 43 years of marriage, she preceded him in death in 2001. Sam and Martha had four children: Maggie, Tom, Pat, and Katie.

Sam spent his career with the U.S. Postal Service beginning as a clerk. He was on the same route for 26 years as a mail carrier out of Station B. He then went into supervision, working at the Philatelic Sales division until his retirement in 1988, ending 42 years of government service. Sam was a member of Assumption (now St Anthony's) Catholic Church serving as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Parish Council. In retirement, Sam was never idle. He and Martha moved to Gladstone, MO and became members of St Gabriel Catholic Church. They traveled coast to coast of the United States and Canada and greatly enjoyed seeing new places. Sam became a charter member of Northland Clown Alley 217 and served for a time as their president. He took the name Zippy (after Mr. Zip and his post office years), where he spent many years bringing joy to nursing home residents, taking part in charity events, and participating in the Snake Saturday Parade. Sam also worked for the City of Gladstone Public Safety Department as a crossing guard for Chapel Hill Elementary School. He was a member of the American Legion Campo-Manfre-Barbieri Post 151 and the Knights of Columbus Council 3414. Sam later joined St Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church and helped out as a sacristan and eucharistic minister. He also was a member of the Legion of Mary.

Sam was preceded in death by his wonderful wife, Martha; his parents, Tom and Millie Briscoe; and siblings, Neal, Lawrence, Tony, and Victor Briscoe, Sophie Seay, Nancy McMahon, and Josephine Hedges. He is survived by his children, Margaret Mary Long (Roger) of Liberty, MO, Thomas Anthony Briscoe (Stephanie) of Lathrop, MO, Patrick Lawrence Briscoe (Annie) of Liberty, MO, and Kathryn Anne Maggio (Jason Burgess) of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren, Mark Baumgartner of Madison, AL, Tim Armstrong (Jacki) of Independence, MO, Andrea Langley of Houston, TX, Tony Briscoe of Chicago, IL, Evelyn Chatman (Derek) of Houston, TX, Sal Briscoe and Thomas Briscoe of Lathrop, MO, Nicholas Briscoe of Liberty, MO, and Marissa Adams (Michael) of Denver, CO; sister, Jean Lucero of Roseville, CA; and many nieces and nephews.

Sam was a loving, caring man of great integrity. He was seldom seen without a smile on his face.

The family would like to thank the volunteers of Northland Meals on Wheels, the nurses of Spectrum Home Health, and the caring staff of Crossroads Hospice. A special thanks to Rhoda Nicola.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com