Brooks William Conover Jr.

Brooks was born July 8, 1934, in Ennis, Texas, to the late Nellie Mae (Orr) and Brooks William Conover Sr.

Brooks spent some of his early childhood in Brownsville, Texas, and it was during this time that his father became his inspiration while working as a high school football coach.

Following his father’s footsteps, Brooks became a deeply influential high school football coach and history teacher for forty-two years. He worked in several central and south texas school districts which included Cuero, Frost, La Feria, Premont, Sharyland, Ben Bolt, and Hidalgo. He also coached football at the Division 1 Collegiate Level in Monterrey, Mexico. His humor was his trademark, but make no mistake, he was driven to excel in all that he did. His lessons transcended both academics and athletics as he desired the best for his students and student-athletes.

Although his teaching and coaching might have been his profession, his music was his passion. He was the ultimate BLUE’S MAN. Brooks was an accomplished musician who, after his retirement from teaching and coaching, he founded the band “B.C. and Soul Express”. With his founded band, Brooks was able to play various venues in McAllen and the lower Rio Grande Valley. B.C. and Soul Express also performed regularly for many years at the Corpus Christi Jazz Festival.

Brooks had the personality and charisma to make friends wherever he went. His laughter was infectious, and when he befriended you, you knew you had a true friend for life. Everyone that knew Brooks on a personal level knew the harmonica was his baby, even though he played a variety of instruments. Every musician that knew Brooks knew he always had his box of harmonicas on hand. You never knew when he would get on stage and do a set or two with friends or even strangers.

Everyone who took road trips with Brooks knew it wasn’t for the faint of heart. His passion for music was so strong, he would get his box of harmonicas out and play different harmonicas to different songs. All this while driving with his knees!

Brooks was a husband, father, teacher, coach, Blue’s Man, and friend. He was a great man of integrity who stood by his word and his positive impact will forever be felt by all who knew him.

Brooks is survived by his wife Mary Conover (nee Jimenez) with whom he shared a life for 42 years, his sister Patti Whiteside, his children Brooks W. Conover, III (Ken Miser) and Carol McCord (Pat), his grandchildren Dylan McCord (Natalie), Amber Juarez (Jose), Kaitlyn Conover, and Peyton Conover. He is also survived by five great grandchildren, multiple nieces and nephews, and several cousins. Brooks was preceded in death by his parents Brooks William Conover, Sr., and Nellie Mae Conover (nee Orr) and his son Gordon Francis Conover (Naomi Garza).

Public visitation will be at Funeraria Del Angel, 3611 N. Taylor Rd, Mission, on Wednesday July 5th, 4-7pm, followed by a Celebration of Life prayer service at 7pm. A Memorial Service will take place at 9am on July 6th, followed by burial at 10am.