Johnnie Lee Brockwell
December 5, 1942 – September 16, 2016
A West Texas cowboy at heart whose word was his bond, Johnnie Lee Brockwell’s fondest memories of his youth were working summers on his Uncle Bud’s ranch with his cousins. He often talked about heading out on horseback at sun-up to repair fences and round-up stock, and returning to the ranch house as the sun set. He loved those days.
He said he would have been a rancher if there were money in it. Instead, after graduating from Del Rio High School in 1960, he worked his way through Texas State-San Marcos on what he called his ten-year plan, working and studying full time. He was a proud member of Alpha Psi and attended those annual reunions until his passing.
During the Vietnam era, John proudly served in the Army National Guard. He worked 15 years for Brown & Root in Houston, Anchorage and London. He then worked as project manager on commercial buildings and apartments in San Antonio. He formed Brockwell Construction, and in 2007 he completed The Woodland Apartments in Boerne in which he was majority owner.
He chaired the Republican Party of Kendall County, worked many elections and served as the first president of Kendall County Republican Club.
John left this world suddenly on September 16 while on his way to Boerne. He simply passed away in his truck while stopped for gas.
He was born in Del Rio, Texas on December 5, 1942, to Floyd William Brockwell and Ward Dee Latham Brockwell. He was predeceased by his son Shannon Eret Brockwell (Stacy), by his parents, and by brother Floyd Dean Brockwell.
He was married for 38 years to his love and best friend, Cindy Russell Brockwell. After living 34 years in Boerne, he and Cindy retired in December 2014 to the beach on North Padre Island where he never tired of watching the sun rise over the ocean and listening to the waves.
John’s family came first always. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. In addition to Cindy, John leaves behind son Sean McMurtrey (Natacha); the sunshine of his life, granddaughters Kayla Bradshaw (Andrew) and Brittny Jones (Brandon); and great-grandchildren Erik and Anika Bradshaw. He will be greatly missed by sisters (in- law) Sandra Russell Peters (Billie) and Randee Russell, brother Fred R. Brockwell, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
We will celebrate Johnnie Lee Brockwell's life on Saturday, October 1, at 11:00 a.m. Vaughan's Funeral Home, 319 E San Antonio Avenue, Boerne, Texas 78006. Reception will follow at the apartments he was so proud of, the Woodland Apartments, 150 Medical Drive, Boerne, Texas. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor his memory, his favorite charities were Wounded Warriors Project, Shriner's Children Hospital and St Jude Hospital.