Rev. Fred L. Brockington

Fred L. Brockington is a native of Marlin, Texas. He was born March 14, 1936 to the late Robert Lee and Laura Mae Brockington. In 1954, he married Merdel D. Mathis, and to that union, they had one child. In 1977, he married Mary C. Baylor, and to that union they had a blended family of three daughters, five grandchildren, three great-granddaughters, and three great-grandsons.

Fred served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Shortly after leaving the military, he began his government career working for the Veterans Administration (VA) in Dallas, TX as a dishwasher. Fred had an outstanding work ethics and was promoted in his career. He transferred to the VA Medical Administration in Denver, CO, where he retired as a Patient Representative for the Regional Director. In August 1996, Fred retired after 39 years of government service.

Fred acknowledged his calling to the ministry in 1988 and was ordained by the late Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Fred Hopson, Jr. at the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church on July 25, 1988. Rev. Brockington was an Associate Minister at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Fred Hopson, Jr., and Assistant Pastor under the leadership of Rev. Randolph C. West, Jr. since January 1991.

In June 2001, Rev. Fred Brockington was called to pastor the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Aurora, Colorado. Due to health issues, he retired in March 2018. Rev. Brockington had a passion for preaching God’s Word. He was a fervent, well-equipped teacher, and a dedicated servant to God’s Word. His favorite scripture: “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. –Lamentations 3:24-25

Fred was affectionately called “PaPa” and “PaPa Fred” by family and adopted friends who considered themselves family.

Fred was a very gentle man. He was kind-hearted and never liked confusion. He was a man who was willing to help those in need. He would always say, “people help people through people”. Many people who met him spoke highly of Fred, calling him a Special Person.

Fred was known as a sharp dresser. Back in the days when he wore a Jeri Curl, he would shine from head to toe. The only time you would see Fred in work jeans, T-shirts, and tennis shoes would be when he was mowing the grass and tending to the garden. He was very particular about maintaining a maculate landscape. He wore leisure attire when he attended church outings and various functions.

Fred loved playing dominoes, bid whist, sequence and other board games. He enjoyed family times at holiday gatherings and outings with friends. He enjoyed traveling to various places, attending church events and driving to visit with family relatives and friends in Texas and South Carolina.

Rev. Brockington departed this life and transitioned into the Lord’s open arms on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Laura Brockington; his brothers: Billy J. and James Edward Brockington; spouses: Merdel Brockington and Mary C. Brockington, and grandson, Eric Baylor. Those left to cherish his memory are: his only child Jazmine Brockington; step-daughters: Gerri (Mario) Purvis, Linda D. (Dave) Cole, Carlyne (James) Marshall; sister-in-laws: Willie P. and Thelma Brockington; special friend of 5-years: Endia Diakite Sample; five grandchildren, three great-granddaughters, and three great-grandsons, and a host of many cousins, nieces, nephews, and well-loved friends.

A visitation for Rev. Brockington will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Aurora Chase Chapel, 1095 Havana Street, Aurora, CO 80010. Pastor Brockington will lie in state Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, CO 80238. Funeral services are Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, CO 80238. Interment with military honors Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 1:30 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80236.