J. A. "Sally" Brittain passed away on Aug. 4, 2015 in Tucson, AZ at the age of 90. He is now dancing in heaven with his beloved wife Emma and the large Brittain clan. Sally was born in Miami, AZ on Sept. 6, 1924, the 11th child of William H. and Lovonia Brittain. He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Emma Humphries Brittain, his parents and 11 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his two daughters: Sharon Brittain Allen and Ellen Doherty (Mike), and 2 grandsons: Travis Allen (Vanessa) and Shawn Doherty. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He is survived by eight step-children: Trisha Bernal, Mike Humphries (Margarita), Alan Humphries (Gail), Mary Scott, John Humphries (Gloria), Frank Humphries (Lizz), Ray Humphries, and Judy Pendleton. Two important members of the family are Zona Campas and George Bernal. He is also survived by 18 step-grandchildren: Steve, Travis (Kari), Missy (Sterling), Cherie, Frank, John (Lisa), Christian (Desi), Aaron, Jerad, Bill (Sara), Jeremy (Arabella), Mark Alan, Amy, Lori, Caitlyn, Alyssa, Mikey and Carlitos along with 13 step-great grandchildren: Jack, Sam, Hayden, Cole, Sadie, Isabella, Julie, Strighter, Madison, Tristen, Angel, Noah and Mackenzie. The Brittain family homesteaded in the "bootheel" of New Mexico, having come from Texas. Sally grew up learning to ride, mend fence, move cattle, and work hard. As a young man, he worked for the Diamond A Cattle Company in the early 1940's. He had hoped to enlist in the Navy and had been transferred to Idaho Falls to be processed, but because of a back injury, he was not able to go. However, he worked as a welder in the shipyards in San Diego. He once said he made more there in a week than he did in a month as a cowboy. He soon came back to New Mexico because, after all, he was a country boy. He met Verna Jean Adams and they were married in 1946. Sally went to work at the Gray Ranch in the Animas Valley. For a time, they moved to Tyrone, NM where Sally worked for Phelps Dodge as a welder, but the cowboy in him had to get back to the ranch. He returned to work for the Diamond A as a windmiller and he and Verna Jean lived at South Wells outside of Hachita, NM. In 1960, after the birth of their second daughter, the family moved to Douglas where Sally went to work for the Cochise County Road Dept. as a grader operator. He retired from Cochise County as Maintenance Superintendent after 28 years of service. He and Verna Jean divorced and in 1977 he began dating Emma Humphries; they were married in 1982. Sally was a member of the Masonic Lodge where he was a Past Worshipful Master and a member of the Shriners where he participated in many parades in his "flivver". He enjoyed retirement, going on many fishing trips to Mexico and going to off road races to watch his son-in-law race. He and Emma enjoyed dancing. He loved his grandchildren and loved taking them fishing, shooting; teaching them things. It was a retirement well earned and well lived. J. A. "Sally" Brittain was a man of integrity; your handshake was your word. He enjoyed many long friendships and was a good family man. He taught his children the value of education and to work hard. He was loved and he will be missed greatly. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sat. Sept. 5 from 3-5 PM in the Commercial Building at the Fairgrounds in Douglas, AZ. We encourage people to bring their favorite pie to share because Sally loved pie!