John Charles Brooke, IV

John grew up in Corpus Christi, formed in his faith by the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He graduated early from Ray High School, was formed in Directed Studies at Yale, graduated with a degree in history, and went on to law school at the University of Texas in Austin. He rose through the ranks at the Kleberg Law firm, eventually retiring as managing partner, specializing in real estate and related oil and gas issues for forty years. Along the way, he taught real estate law in the community college, led a Boy Scout troop primarily for African American boys, and was president of the Board of Realtors, among many other things.

His involvement in the Episcopal Church increased dramatically after his retirement from law practice. He served as the Bishops Deputy for Congregational Development for over a decade in the Diocese of West Texas in San Antonio. He was very active in the national church and was an outstanding lay preacher.

When he retired (again) from the Bishops staff, he became a full-time cattle rancher in Goliad, Texas, supervising a long-term project of reclamation and land management that won him recognition for habitat maintenance, as well as building his cattle herd. He loved learning new cooking techniques and puttering in his greenhouse. He loved historic buildings, old books, old tractors, elegant restaurants, and new ideas. Above all, he loved his family.

John is survived by his loving wife, Patty; they had just celebrated their 25th anniversary. Children, Jennifer Brooke-Davidson (Carrick), Allison DeForest (Brent), and John C. Brooke V (Ruthann); grandchildren, Emma Brooke-Davidson, Kate Brooke-Davidson, John Brooke VI (Randi), and Shelby Gillihan (Taylor); great granddaughter, Reese Brooke; step-children, Tony Goddard (Brenda) and Logan Goddard; grandchildren, Casen Goddard and Landree Goddard.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2022

10:00 AM

ST. DAVIDS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1300 WILTSHIRE AVENUE

Rev. Brian Tarver will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Davids Episcopal Church, C/O the Mens Bible Study Group, 1300 Wiltshire Ave., San Antonio, TX 78209.