Wallingford/Jarlov Family Trees

Survivor takes life by the reins

Anderson fighter loses battle with cancer
BY ROSEMARY SMITH, Examiner editor

Despite his battle with lung cancer, senior Joe Briers of Anderson continued to enjoy life in the outdoors, while training a 3.5-year-old Belgian/Standardbred horse named Socks to be a driver for his fleet of carriages, including an antique model, complete with lanterns.

Posted: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:22 am

BY ROSEMARY SMITH, Examiner editor

Editor's Note: This article is being republished in memory of a man who will long be remembered for his kind spirit, faith and sense of community, Joe Briers of Anderson. He was recently featured in The Examiner Relay for Life special section. Briers passed away Monday morning.

Visitation with the family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., on Wednesday, May 29, at Nobles Funeral Home Chapel in Navasota, Texas. A memorial service is set for Thursday, at 2 p.m., at Nobles Funeral Chapel.

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You can’t keep a good man down – not even an 82-year-old with lung cancer.

Joe Briers, who has enjoyed the outdoors while living on a 600-acre ranch in Anderson for the past 58 years, doesn’t let old age or cancer hold him back from taking life by the reins and living life to its fullest.

A couple of years ago, doctors told Briers they had done all they could to help him fight lung cancer. Briers said he told them he didn’t want to know when his last days might be. He doesn’t believe in worrying, and would rather give to others than waste time focusing on himself.

Briers is especially known for taking time out of his day to give free rides to anyone and everyone, and has a fleet of carriages to prove it.

Passengers have included the young and old alike, including transporting brides to churches.

“I pick up brides and carry them to the church,” Briers said.

Briers took up the hobby about four years ago.

“It’s just something for an old man to do,” he said.

Don’t let his slow walk fool you. Once Briers is in the driver’s seat, he can crack a whip at the speed of light and take you from a slow, relaxing carriage ride in the country to the ride of your life down a Texas highway.

Through diligence, Briers turned a 3.5-year-old Belgian/Standardbred horse named Socks, which is half the minimum age of an average driving horse, into a disciplined follower.

Briers said, “It takes a lot of time and patience, and the right kind of horse. It’s very rare for a horse his age to be as good as he is. I feel blessed that I wound up with him.”

Ironically, Briers said the most difficult lesson to teach Socks is the ability to stand still. Though Briers is no young buck, and admits he has his bad days because of his battle with cancer, he used to be very active, riding horses and such, and found a way to get back in the saddle with carriage rides.

“I used to ride (horses) all the time, but age has kinda caught up with me. I did all kinds of hunting, flew airplanes, water-skied and had boats, and somehow I wound up in a buggy. It’s fun,” Briers said.

His hobby lends to Briers’ sense of community, and has also led him to pay attention to the Amish way of life.

“Most people just try and get more money and things for themselves,” Briers said. “If the Amish have extra food, they give it to others. And they help each other. What better way to live?”

And he means business. While Briers enjoys leisurely rides in the country, he must also maintain control of his horse as he maneuvers around trees and objects in open fields and while around speeding cars on the highway.

“I don’t want her (Socks) to move until I tell her to,” Briers said as the horse fidgeted while at a standstill, waiting to enter FM 244 off a county road near Anderson.

Though Briers has six other horses, the bond between him and Socks is undeniable. And what a beautiful life they share out on open fields and roadways, carrying others in the palm of their hands and hoofs.