John R. Brookshire

John R. Brookshire, 69, passed in peace Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Funeral Services will be held at 8:00 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2020, at Sneed Funeral Chapel, followed by a graveside service at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen with military honors. Born and raised in New Castle, Indiana, John earned a technical automotive degree from Southeastern Indiana Vocational College in 1969. Upon completion of this degree, he was immediately drafted to the United States Army in support of the Vietnam War and assigned to the 18th Engineer Brigade. Soon after recognizing John's superior marksmanship skills, he was transferred to a Sniper position earning him notable military awards - the Vietnam Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Expert Marksmanship Badge with Automatic Rifle, Vietnam Campaign Medal Ribbon with Device, National Defense Medal, and Overseas Bar. He was honorably discharged soon after infliction due to enemy battle and will be fondly remembered as a proud Patriot of the Vietnam War. After successfully fulfilling his military obligation and returning to the United States, John journeyed from Fort Ord, California to New Port Richey, Florida to Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia and finally to Fort, Hood, Texas continuously planting roots near his one and only younger brother, Kent, wife Falanika, daughter Tisha, son-in-law, Philip, Jr. and their grandson, Philip III - Kent. It was near them that he always felt at home and the warmth of family. John was an avid historian and a true sports fan, most notably of Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas, Texas. He often enjoyed many races throughout the year from premier seats at the exciting turn 4 with his best friend Harvey and brother, Kent. One of his most favorite memories was a vacation taken a few years ago with Kent to their hometown in Indiana. They enjoyed a week-long of celebratory Indianapolis 500 race events and concluded their memorable brother's trip by revering in "The Great Spectacle in Racing - The Indy 500." John's love for American auto racing was a passion inspired by their dad who often cherished the thrilling local speedway with his two sons. He happily met the love of his life and companion Ida Crane 12 years ago and joined her family alongside two daughters, Antonia and Whitney, and seven grandchildren. They shared a beautiful life in Lampasas, Texas, and created tons of great family memories. Every single one of them absolutely loved John and regarded him as their stepdad and papa, and John loved them just as much. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Raymond and Dorothy Ann Brookshire (Yost). Survivors include his daughters, Faith (son Spencer) of Columbus, Ohio, Mazie Ann (son Marques) of Vallejo, California; son, Adam of Clearwater, Florida (sons, Matthew, Adam Jr., Luis, Gabe and daughter, Hailey); brother, Kent of Killeen, Texas (daughter Tisha and grandson Philip, III-Kent of Dallas, Texas.) He is also the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren.