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John William Brasher, 93, of Eagle Lake, Texas, passed away peacefully at Trucare Living Center in Columbus, Texas on Jan. 29, 2023.
He was born to Charles Ben and Hallie Dell (Tharp) Brasher on Nov. 27, 1929, in Leachville, Arkansas. On Dec. 25, 1952, he married the true love of his life Emilia Elizabeth “Pat” Gold in Eagle Lake.
John graduated from Hempstead High School in Hempstead, Texas. He then attended and played football for the Pioneers of Wharton County Junior College before transferring to Sam Houston State University. In 1952, he was drafted and served his country with honor in the United States Army 140th Tank Battalion during the Korean War where he received a Purple Heart. John knew he made the right decision selecting the Army over the Navy considering he got seasick while on his Army transport ship which was still moored at the dock. Following the war, he worked as a mechanic for John Deere Implement in Eagle Lake for many years. He then worked for and eventually retired after 30 years of service from Tenneco Gas Processing as a Plant Foreman with stints in Baytown, Agua Dulce, Rockport,
Calallen, Texas, Enid, Oklahoma and Aztec, New Mexico. In his free time, John loved working in his yard.
He also enjoyed tinkering and working on just about anything. Church and family were very important to him. John was a very active member of VFW Post 3837, St. Thomas Catholic Church of Calallen and Knights of Columbus Council 9318. He was also a member of the Parish of the Nativity, the Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and the Elks organization. John was an avid sports fan and thoroughly enjoyed attending all of the sporting events of his children and grandchildren, no matter the travel distance. He loved ice cream very much and would even tell a granddaughter that if she scored at least six points in her basketball games he would buy her a Blizzard, which meant he got one also. He also enjoyed playing card games, dominoes, and golf with shots ricocheting off trees and other objects that defy imagination.
He will be most remembered for his work ethic in order to provide for his family, his generosity, kindness, love and support of any relative, friend, or stranger.
John was preceded in death by parents, Ben and Hallie Brasher; sister Imogene Brune and husband Bill, sister Phyllis Steffens and husband Leonard, Sr.; brother, Ben Wayne Brasher, Sr. and wife Claudell.
John is survived by his wife of 70 years, Emilia “Pat” Brasher of Eagle Lake; son, John H. Brasher and wife Terri of Columbus; daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Felder and husband Ken of New Braunfels; grandchildren, Kristin Branyon and husband Ron, Kendra Bartlett and husband Chris, Reid Brasher and wife Chelsea, and Chase Brasher; great-grandchildren, Philomena, Francesca, Faustina, Joseph, Benedict, and Stella Bartlett; James, Luke, Owen and Emily Branyon, along with numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus, Texas with Fr. Augustine Asante officiating.
Visitation, also at the church, will be from 1:30–2:00 p.m. with a family lead rosary to begin at 2 p.m. Following a reception at St. Paul Lutheran Church Lighthouse, a graveside service will take place at 5:15 p.m. at Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake with full military honors.
Serving as pallbearers are Reid and Chase Brasher, Ron and James Branyon, Chris Bartlett, Lenny Steffens, Phil Steffens, Phil Novosad and honorary pallbearer Draper Stephens.
The family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Bobbie Jo Contreras, Paula Contreras, along with the entire staff at Trucare Living Center and Amedisys Hospice for your love, compassion, caring and support during the past few years.
Memorials may be made to The Lighthouse for the Blind, 3602 West Dallas, Houston, Texas 77019 or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.
