Wiley Eugene "Gene" Brookshire

Funeral services for Wiley Eugene “Gene” Brookshire of Lufkin will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Bob Klund, former longtime pastor of Believers Bible Church and Gene’s close friend, will officiate alongside current Pastor Jeff Beltz. Masonic rites will be given under the auspices of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Wiley Eugene Brookshire, lovingly known as “Gene” to friends and “PaPa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, passed away at his home in Lufkin, Texas, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born on March 3, 1929, in Lufkin, Gene was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, veteran, and friend. He graduated from Lufkin High School and later earned his degree from Texas A&I University. With deep pride and patriotism, Gene served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Gene, along with his brothers Oscar and R.A., was instrumental in the leadership and growth of Brookshire Brothers Grocery, a family-owned business that grew from humble beginnings into one of East Texas’ most respected and enduring institutions. As a second-generation steward of the company, Gene helped guide its expansion with a deep sense of responsibility to employees, customers, and the communities it served. In 2006 the company was sold to its employees through an ESOP, preserving its East Texas heritage and ensuring that those who helped build its success would also share in its future.

Gene was, above all else, a man of deep Christian faith. He was a founding member of Believers Bible Church of Lufkin, which began in the late 1960s. Gene remained a faithful and steady presence in the church throughout his life. He was known for his unwavering belief in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his reverence for Scripture, and the way he lived out his faith through service, humility, and kindness to all. His life was a quiet but powerful testimony of a man devoted to God, his family, and his fellow man.

A strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, Gene was the recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award, a prestigious honor recognizing community leaders who embody the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. He was also a longtime supporter of Little League and Dixie Youth baseball programs and remained a committed advocate for youth development throughout his life.

In 2016, Gene was named the recipient of the prestigious Angelina Award, given to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of community service in Angelina County.

Gene’s service to the Masonic bodies of Texas was extensive and highly respected. He was Past Master of Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. and A.M. and served the Grand Lodge of Texas as Past Grand Senior Steward in 2021. He also held leadership positions and active memberships in a wide range of Masonic organizations, including the Royal Arch Masons, Royal and Select Masters, Knights Templar, Red Cross of Constantine, York Rite, KYCH, HRAKTP, AMD, St. Thomas of Acon, Knight Masons, Sharon Shriners, and the Scottish Rite, where he was honored as a 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Honorary. His many recognitions included the Golden Trowel, Order of the Purple Cross, Golden Keystone, Royal Purple Service Award, Knight Templar Cross of Honor, and Knight Commander of the Temple. He also served for many years on the Board of the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington.

Gene was a longtime board member and supporter of the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, where he also served as a director of the Hospital’s Children's Scholarship Fund. He believed deeply in its mission and supported its work not only financially, but through years of leadership and advocacy.

An avid outdoorsman, Gene especially loved quail hunting with his bird dogs at his south Texas ranch. He found joy in preparing meals for friends and family there and in the time they spent together in the field. He also loved his farm, where he tended his blackberry patch, fished in the ponds, and working around the property.

Over the years, Gene took great pride in teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to hunt and fish, passing along both his skills and his love for the outdoors. More recently, teaching his great-grandchildren Brooks and Benjamin to fish on the family farm brought him tremendous joy.

Later in life, Gene became a remarkably skilled woodworker, crafting wooden fish, eagles, and other birds. He delighted in giving these handmade gifts to family and friends.

Gene was well known for his famous banana pudding and hard ice cream, which he generously shared at family gatherings and community events.

Gene was preceded in death by parents, Austin and Winifred (Washburn) Brookshire; beloved wife, Shirlee Jean Brookshire; son, David Austin Brookshire; and brothers, Oscar and R.A. Brookshire.

He is survived by daughter, LeeAnn Brookshire and Alton Knight of Lufkin; son, Joel Brookshire and wife Carla of Crosby, Texas; grandchildren, Courtney Blum and husband Justin of Dallas, Jonathan Hale and wife Katie of Wilsonville, Oregon, Travis Hale of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Cali Brookshire of Crosby; and great-grandchildren, Brooks Edward, Scarlett Austen, and Bayo Tucker Blum of Dallas, and Benjamin Wiley, George Maxwell, and Claire Virginia Hale of Oregon. He is also survived by sister, Lois Ann McCurry of Bullard, Texas; and sister-in-law, Dot Brookshire of Lufkin.

Gene Brookshire will be remembered as a humble, Godly man whose life was rooted in faith, family, and service. His quiet strength, steady leadership, and generous heart left an indelible mark on all who knew him, and his legacy will live on through those he loved and served.

Pallbearers will include Jonathan Hale, Travis Hale, Justin Blum, Clif Lenderman, Sydney Campbell, and Dr. John Wood.

Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Bob Anderson, Gary Blair, Russell Brown, Gib Burton, Newt Courtney, Hal Greer, Bart Henderson, Marvin Henderson, Bob Klund, Dr. Charles Kent, David McCoy, Lyndon Olson, Joe Smith, Bob Walker, Ronnie Wilson, Jimmy Allison, and members of the Believers Bible Church Men’s Prayer Breakfast Group and the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Development Department, P.O. Box 122027, Dept. 2027, Dallas, Texas 75312-2027, Believers Bible Church of Lufkin, 408 S. Medford Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901, or a charity of your choice.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2025, at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.