Austin American Statesman
04/07/2002  Leo Brooks December 7, 1947 - April 4, 2002 


Leo Brooks, 54, of Austin and Llano, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2002, in the company
 of his family at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. He was born on December 7, 1947
 in Shidler, Oklahoma. After growing up in West Texas, Leo attended the University of Texas 
where he was a two-time all SWC defensive tackle as a member of the 1969 
National Championship Longhorn Football Team and was a member of the Silver Spurs
 Honorary Mens Service Organization. Leo's collegiate nickname, ``Large'',
 transcended every aspect of his life. At 6'6'' and 290 pounds, Leo's stature was only 
overshadowed by the size of his heart and his love of people and animals. Following his
 collegiate career, Leo played seven years in the National Football League; three years
 for the Houston Oilers and four years for the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired from the NFL 
to run the family ranching and hunting business in Llano and to pursue a career as an MAI
 in the commercial real estate appraisal business in Austin. Leo spent his happiest moments 
on his beloved ranch in Llano, working with the cattle that he raised with great pride.
 Leo served as the president of the Austin Chapter of the National Football League Alumni
 Association, on the board of directors of the Federal Land Bank, and was a member of the 
University of Texas Letterman's Association. Leo spent countless hours coaching baseball 
and basketball teams in the Northwest Austin youth programs. He was not only a coach,
 but also a surrogate dad to many local children. Leo is survived by his wife, 
Judy Winkel Brooks; son, Corby Brooks and wife, Erin; daughter, Ashley Brooks, 
all of Austin; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brooks of Llano, and sister-in-law, 
Carol Carpenter Winkel of Midland. Leo is also survived by a close family of friends 
whose lives have forever been touched by his friendship. Leo was a loving father 
and husband who was actively involved in every aspect of his family's life. 
Leo's greatest joy and source of pride were his children, Corby and Ashley. 
They were blessed to have a father that was totally devoted to them until the day he died. 
Leo lived and enjoyed life to the fullest and ensured that others around him did as well.
 He was a gentleman and a gentle man, whose concern for others transcended even this
 last difficult year. Leo was large in life and will remain large in our memory. 
Family visitation was held Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday, 
April 8, 2002, at 11:00 a.m., at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. 
Burial will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the Llano Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all 
of those who have cared for Leo over the past year for their kindness and concern. 
An athletic scholarship is being created in his memory at the University of Texas 
at Austin. Donations may be made to a fund for the Leo Brooks Football Scholarship, 
in care of the Longhorn Legacy, P.O. Box 7399, Austin, Texas 78713-7399. 
Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705, 
(512) 452-8811.