John Henry Broocks III

A man whose family cannot imagine life without his iconic presence has passed to his next, more wonderful life. A humble and faithful servant of the Lord, John Henry Broocks, III, died peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, June 11 at the age of 95.

John was born on October 19, 1928 in Lockhart, Texas to Ben C. Broocks and Minerva Rice Broocks, the youngest of three boys. He had a wonderful and vibrant childhood with his brothers Ben, Jr. and William and his loving parents--all of whom he adored—and this experience molded his strong character and love of family. He graduated from the Texas Military Institute in San Antonio in 1945, and then attended the University of Texas, where he met his true love, the beautiful and talented Nancy Marie Noble. John and Nancy married on July 15, 1949, shortly after graduation and shared a lifelong love (some would say fanaticism) for all things Longhorn.

John then attended the University of Texas School of Law, from which he graduated in 1952. With law degree in hand, he began work with illustrious Dallas District Attorney Henry Wade, whom he greatly admired throughout his career. After three years of outstanding training from Wade, John accepted an offer from Humble Oil & Refining Company (now ExxonMobil), where he enjoyed a long, productive, and successful career, retiring as the Chief Landman for Exxon USA.

While a devoted champion of his employer, John was an even more devoted father to his three children, Linda Broocks, Laura Broocks Clift, and John H. Broocks, IV, and provided an outstanding role model for them, showing a strong Christian faith and absolute integrity in all aspects of his life and demanding the same from his children. Strict and stern at times, he nevertheless communicated his deep and undying love for each of them and demonstrated his commitment to faith and family above all else. Although they sometimes complained about having to spend weekends as teenagers on the “family field trips” he engineered, Linda, Laura, and Johnny now cherish the memories of this family togetherness. And as the Broocks extended family grew through the years, John and Nancy maintained their love of bringing the ever- increasing crowd together. After Nancy’s death in 2017, John’s magnetism was the glue that maintained the family’s closeness.

Through the years, John and Nancy moved frequently, as necessitated by John’s job with Exxon, living in Corpus Christi (twice), Midland, Roswell, New Mexico, Covington, Louisiana, and Houston. In each spot they developed long-lasting friendships that they maintained over their lives. They retired to Kerrville in 1987, where they made many lasting friendships. While there he particularly enjoyed spending time on the golf course.

In 2014 John and Nancy moved to the Edgemere in Dallas, where John continued to live after Nancy’s death. Among many cherished friendships he developed at the Edgemere, especially important to him was his relationship with Blanche Coker, who became his fond companion for the rest of his life.

John is survived by his children; their spouses, James Hall, Charles Clift, and Yvette Broocks; his nephews and niece Ben C. Broocks, William Rice Broocks, and Rebecca Broocks Jung; his grandchildren and their spouses Mack Wilson and Kathy Zhang, Charlotte Clift and Tom Marsden, Catherine Clift and Cam Hardaway, Claire Clift and William Jones, Chas Clift and Melissa Chaney, Hank Broocks, and Emily Broocks; and his great-grandchildren Rosalind Thomeer Wilson, Matilda and Rosalind Rutledge, Wren, Margaux and Ella Marsden, Conner, Benjamin, Harrison and Spencer Hardaway, Gwennan, Nate, Griffin and Nora Cate Jones, and Tres, William and Graham Clift.

The family greatly appreciates the devoted attention of John’s caregivers, Margaret Gatua, Benadeta Shali, and Peter Mbua. They are also grateful for the careful and compassionate care John received at UT Southwestern Hospital, Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital, and the Faith Presbyterian Hospice Center. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to may make contributions to any of these institutions or to any of the many organizations this truly generous man supported throughout his life, including Christ Church Presbyterian of Kerrville, Highland Park Presbyterian Church, the University of Texas and Texas Law, Texas Military Institute, Rice University, Schreiner University, and Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.

A funeral service for John will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. Follow this link to view the livestream: https://vimeo.com/969122317

Following the funeral service will be a committal service at Hillcrest Memorial Park.