Obituary: Jack Harper Brewer, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX Contributed by Jo Collier 27 Januaray 2004 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/txfiles.htm *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX - January 2, 2004 BREWER Jack Harper Brewer is survived by his wife of 51 years. He had one niece, Kay Shaddox Clements and husband Roger of Fairbanks, Alaska; one nephew, Troy Shaddox and wife Susan and their children, Grace and Sam of Tonasket, Washington; brother-in-law Kenneth Shaddox and wife, Fern of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents W. A. (Hap) and Maragerite (Margie) Brewer of Stilwell, Oklahoma and his sister Peggy Shaddox of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Jack was born in Stilwell on November 29, 1927. He attended public school there. After graduation he volunteered for the Navy and served until the end of World War II. Following his discharge he played football at Oklahoma Eastern A & M and graduated from Northeastern State at Tahlequah. After graduation he moved to Borger, Texas to start his coaching career which lasted for 36 years. While in Borger, Jack married Nina Starkey who was also a coach-teacher. They had no children but had many young friends that they "claimed" as their own. After coaching in Borger for 3 years, Jack moved on to the college level of Howard Payne University where he coached for 3 years. HPU won the Conference Title (1954). His next move was to La Vega High School of Waco as Head Coach (1956-1958). Jack was named Central Texsas Coach of the Year in 1957. Jack and Nina moved to Odessa, Ector County ISD, (1958-1986) where Jack held the following positions: Odessa High Assistant Coach (under Hayden Fry, Odessa High Head Coach), Assistant Athletic Director, Permian High School Assistant Principal, Hood Junior High Assistant Principal, and ECISD Athletic Director. During Jack's 17 year tenure as ECISD Athletic Director, the Odessa schools had the 10 year best win-loss record of schools in Texas AAAAA football. This included 4 state football championships. The Odessa schools under his leadership also had a state championship basketball and 8 consecutive district titles in track. Under his direction Odessa built a "state of the art" football stadium. It was completed in 1982. Some of the many honors received: Texas Hall of Honor, Top of Texas Hall of Fame, Board of Directors for the High School Athletic Directors Association, National Athletic Association Board member, "Outstanding Alummnus" of his hometown of Stilwell, OK, Top of Texas Football Magazine "Hall of Fame", Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in International Education, Award for outstanding service to the youth of Odessa, "Outstanding Leadership" award. There are several more awards too numerous to mention. He retired and moved to Robert Lee in 1986. Jack and Nina were avid fishermen and spent much time at Lake Spence and Lake Ivie. The Brewers spent much time in church and civic work. At the time of his death, Jack was serving on the Upper Colorado River Authority Board of Directors. He was appointed to this board by the then Governer George W. Bush. Because of his illness (Myelodysplasia-Leukemia), Jack no longer served on other boards such as the Housing Authority, Community Economic Development, EMS or as a consultant for Coke County Juvenile Prison. He no longer held offices in his church or the Retired Teachers organization. Because he had no resistance to infection, he stayed away from crowds and spent all the time he could fishing when his health permitted, and he read. Jack was such a "people-person" that staying away from his friends, "coffee drinking buddies" and especially church services was very hard for him. He was blessed by his many friends from his coaching and teaching days. He was honored by the Howard Payne Texas Conference Champs of 1954 on September 20th of 2002. Every football player that could be contacted attended this gathering which was a tremendous honor 48 years after he coached that wonderful group of men. He was blessed by a geat many athletes, coaches and friends that kept in touch with him over many years. He had a knack for loving everybody and was loved in return. He will be missed very much, not only by his wife, family and extended family, but by his many friends. To honor and celebrate his life, a graveside service was held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at 9:30 am at Hayrick Cemetery in Robert Lee. A memorial service followed at 10:30 at the First Baptist Church of Robert Lee. A scholorship fund has been established for the youth of Robert Lee. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Jack Brewer with your contribution to the Jack and Nina Brewer Scholarship Fund, 2201 Sherwood Way, Suite 205, San Angelo, TX 76901. Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb Archives.