Brian Scott Sailor

Brian Scott Sailor

1958 – 2026

Brian Sailor, age 67, passed away January 27, 2026 in Devils Lake, ND

Brian was born May 27th, 1958 in Devils Lake, ND to parents Ray & Phyliss (Tofsrud) Sailor. Brian attended school in Devils Lake. Brian spent many years working for Ray’s Painting Service, Devils Lake, 20 plus years working for Leben Masonry, Devils Lake and Candeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten for 10 years. Brian worked side jobs for most of his adult life, painting, sheet rocking, taping, texturing and pouring and finishing concrete.

Brian enjoyed collecting and refinishing antique furniture. Brian was a country boy; he enjoyed the peace and quiet. When the kids were young Brian always had 3-wheelers, 4-wheelers and minibikes. He spent every summer giving the kids rides and teaching them how to drive on their own. He would take the kids to the family farm to see the animals, and the grandkids to Uncle Jim’s to see his farm animals. Brian was a good dad to the kids, and they have a lot of happy memories.

Brian was married to Julie (Mercer) Sailor for 31 years and they were together for 10 years before they were married. They had three (3) children. Brandon, Chance and Sarah. They divorced in 2022

Brian was sociable, loved visiting and was well known and liked in the community. In the last 10 years he struggled with addiction and went through many changes in his life. He was not the Brian we all knew and loved. He is at peace now and let us not judge him, let’s remember him the way he was.

Brian is survived by his children, Brandon (Antoinette) Sailor, Devils Lake, Chance Sailor and Sarah Sailor St. Michael, ND 58370: grandchildren Gavin Sailor, Minot, ND, Ashlyn & Kinlyn, Devils Lake, ND. Casen & Easten Sailor, St. Michael, ND, x-wife Julie Sailor, St. Michael, ND: siblings Jim (Julie) Sailor, Marilyn Schall and Barry Sailor all of Devils Lake, Margaret Liska, Hillsboro, ND, sisters-in-law Veronica Sailor and Mary Sailor also Devils Lake, and many nieces and nephews. Erin Schroeder and family.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Phyliss, brothers Robert and Gary, brother-in-law Pete Schall, nephews Josh and Josh Jr. (JJ) Sailor, mother and father-in-law Roy and Irene Mercer and brother-in-law Rory Mercer.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Brian’s Children & Grandchildren ;Brandon & Gavin Sailor, Ashlyn & Kinlyn Hellickson, Chance, Casen & Easten Sailor, Sarah Sailor and Steven Mercer, Mark Mercer, Keith, Alex, Scott, Randy and Dan Leben. Thank you for your kindness, friendship and prayerful support. God Bless You!

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and Prayers during this hard time. It is hard to believe and understand what happened and why he made the choices he did. It is not my place or anyone else's place to pass judgement. Brian told me many times that he had a lot of regrets for the choices he made. He also made it clear that he loved his children and grandchildren very much and he missed them due to his choices. Our kids have so many good memories of their dad when they were young. Brian was a good dad and a good grandpa. He spent most of his time outdoors with them on 4 wheelers, mini bikes or watching them play. I used to give him so much crap about never wanting to do anything but sit and watch the grass grow. We always lived in the country and that is where Brian was happiest. He took the kids to the Sailor farm to see the animals and the grandkids to Uncle Jim's to see his animals. We use to travel and went to Australia, we took the kids to Disney World twice, Mexico and when Brandon was little, Brian was working in California and we took Brandon to Disney Land. Brian worked hard to have nice things and we couldn't buy anything unless we could pay for it right then. He was meticulous about everything he owned. He was stubborn as a bull with me and it was his way or nothing at all. I hated that about him but stayed with him for 40 some years. He would do just about anything for anyone and was very well like and respected in the community. I hope and Pray that people will remember him as he was before he turned to drugs for whatever reason. Brian was loved by his children, grandchildren, family and friends, and I loved him. I cared about him and did what I could to be there for him, even when he didn't want me to. He will be missed. He may be gone from our site but he will live in our hearts forever. He is at Peace now and that is what matters most. Fly high with the Eagles Brian.