Charles A. Brothers

After a successful and happy life, Colonel Charles A. Brothers (USAF, Ret.), passed away July 4, 2009, in Austin, Texas. Born September 1, 1940, he took great pride in saying he was from Shamrock, Texas, putting his community on the map for a great many people. As he traveled worldwide, he modeled Texas friendliness and the best in American values. From valedictorian of his high school class and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities to Lt. Commander of Sigma Nu fraternity and the UT School of Law's Honor Council, he demonstrated leadership and a willingness to work hard early on. Charles never met a football game he didn't like from the Shamrock Fighting Irish to the North Texas Eagles to his beloved University of Texas Longhorns. Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium, Section 7, is minus one of its most ardent fans. Colonel Brothers' family had a 20-year vacation while he served as a Judge Advocate General in staff positions earning a Meritorious Service medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, an Air Force Commendation medal, a National Defense Service medal, a small arms expert marksmanship ribbon, and other awards. He was assigned to Craig AFB, AL; Hickam AFB, HI; the USAF Academy, CO; Montgomery AFB, AL; Bitburg AFB, Germany where he was Staff Judge Advocate for the Wing; and Travis AFB, CA. He returned to Bergstrom AFB in Austin where he had received his direct commission. After retirement in 1985, Charles began work in the City of Austin's Department of Law as a supervising attorney for the City Attorney (who had been working for him as a reservist the week before.) Never one to retire, in 1998 he left the City to supervise a small database company that supports the Texas Failure to Appear Program where he enjoyed contact with most of the cities and counties in Texas. Colonel Brothers is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Tracie, son Charles, his granddaughter Ryan, a sister Julia, and several nieces and nephews. He was a truly fine man who will be missed daily. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 9, 2009 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will take place at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel North Lamar on Friday, July 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Shamrock Cemetery in Shamrock, Texas on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Borger Campus, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 800-687-3722, www.calfarley.org; or the Texas Bar Foundation, www.txbf.org, charities and scholarships, 512-480-8000.