Lon Clyde Brooks

On May 26th Lon Brooks passed away with family by his side. Lon was defined by his devotion to his family. He journeyed the last three years with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lived with dignity until his last breath.

Lon was born on April 15, 1930 in Abilene, Texas. He spent his childhood years with his family in Anson and Abilene. As his dad owned the Chevrolet dealerships in Anson and Roby in the 1930’s, Lon spent much of the time during the first part of his life “in the front seat of many different repossessed Chevrolets”! Lon was 10-years-old when he caught his first fish, a four-pound bass, in Grapeland, Texas. When Lon was 15 he attended Camp Chief Ouray in southwestern Colorado. He achieved four first-place medals for horseback riding.

Lon graduated from high school in 1947, earned a geology degree from Texas Tech University, served in the Coast Guard and then received a second degree, a Masters in geology, from Tech.

Lon served the Coast Guard, holding eight posts in four years. His time during the Korean Conflict stationed on Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska was particularly memorable. Though a courageous man in general, Lon held a lifetime fear of swimming so his responsibilities in air-sea rescue were personally challenging at times. Soon thereafter, still serving in the Coast Guard, Lon met his wife-to-be Shirley Eure on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. A bit tentative at first, Shirley soon fell in love with Lon.

After completing his military service Lon spent years as a mortgage loan officer. This career brought him to Austin over 40 years ago and in 1973 he founded American Realty Corporation in Austin. He took great pride in his work and delighted in working with both his sons who remain connected to the business. Lon retired in 2010.

Lon was a lifelong Methodist and shortly after moving to Austin, Lon and Shirley became active and devoted members of First United Methodist Church. Lon taught the Fred Mathys Sunday school class for years. He was active in his Emmaus group and especially appreciated their recent visit over breakfast tacos in the Brooks home.

Lon treasured his 55 year union with his beloved wife. He named Shirley and their three children, Bruce (Donna), Janlyn Nentwig (David) and Hayden (Lynn), his pride and joy. He treasured his time with Shirley, their children and spouses, and of course their seven grandchildren: Brooks, Brady, Huyler, Madalyn, Avery, Ginny and Dan.

Lon was passionate about fishing! He enjoyed trying new things and seeing new places. He also loved his home, photography, spicy food, pecan pie, peach cobbler, singing, driving, exploring the southwestern United States, especially, New Mexico; and Indian culture, artifacts and lore. He recalled minute details about all things related to cars, geology, and geography.

Lon’s life was full of adventure and colorful stories, always recounted in a strong and energetic voice; and accompanied by dramatic gestures. Lon’s paternal grandfather, after whom he was named, was nominated Texas Secretary of State during the Ferguson administration. A scandal that broke out higher in the administration prevented the elder Lon Brooks from taking office. Lon’s great uncle was an agent for the Isleta Pueblo Indians in the 1920s-30s. These stories made great family lore and formed Lon’s early life.

Lon also served Meals on Wheels in various leadership capacities for over 30 years, chairing the Building Committee responsible for the new facility on East Fifth Street.

Predeceasing Lon are his father Clyde Fergus Brooks and mother Sally Yeatts, beloved uncle Earnest Yeatts, older brother Charlie, who died as an infant; and his younger sister Lyn Frances Cunningham.

Memorial services will be held this Sunday (June 5th) at 2:00 in the afternoon in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church which is located at 12th Street and Lavaca downtown.

The family requests that any donations in Lon’s memory please be made to First United Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels and Hospice Austin.