Weldon Ross Holbrooks

Long-time Stamford vocational agriculture teacher Weldon Holbrooks will be laid to rest at 11 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2016, with military honors at the Texas Veterans Cemetery in Abilene under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home. Mr. Holbrooks life will be remembered during funeral services at 2 p.m., Friday, October 28, at the First Baptist Church in Stamford with Rev. Scott Loar officiating and assisted by Dr. Jacob West. Visitation will be Thursday, October 27, 6-8 p.m. at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 S. Columbia) Stamford, TX.
Mr. Holbooks died at this home in Stamford, Texas, on October 25, 2016, at the age of 89 years 8 months and 24 days.
Weldon Ross Holbrooks was born in Pumphrey, Texas on January 31, 1927, the oldest of two siblings born to Wilson and Trudie (Drake) Holbrooks. He attended school at Pumphrey and Elmdale and graduated from Winters High School in 1944.
Mr. Holbrooks entered Texas A&M University in the fall of 1944 where he began studying and working to be a teacher of vocational agriculture. He took a leave from this studies to serve his county in the U.S. Navy from February 16, 1945 until July 23, 1946. After returning from the war, he resumed his education and completed his studies earning a Master’s Degree from A&M. He began his teaching career in Wharton and later accepted a position with Stamford ISD in 1951, where he taught until his retirement in 1985. Mr. Holbrooks then began his second career working at 4-Star Feed for almost 20 years.
Weldon was married to Peggy Jones August 3, 1952 in Stamford, Texas. Weldon and Peggy recently celebrated 64 years of marriage, a union that was blessed with three daughters, Debbie, Jill and Tammy.
Mr. Holbrooks was instrumental in forming and organizing the Tri-Areal Livestock Show Association in Stamford which allows F.F.A. and 4-H members from Stamford, Paint Creek and Lueders-Avoca, a location to exhibit their livestock projects each year.
Sixty-five years ago, Weldon Holbrooks became a valued citizen of Stamford and a person whom all have come to know and respect. He has faithfully served the First Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher and deacon, serving as chairman three times. He served on the Stamford City Council, and was a member of the Stamford Lions Club. A few of Mr. Holbrooks many honors include; being awarded the Honorary American Farmer Degree, the F.F.A. show barns were renamed Weldon Holbrooks Show Arena, named Man of the Year by Stamford Chamber of Commerce in 2010, the City of Stamford proclaimed June 30, 2010 as Weldon Holbrooks Day when he served as the Grand Marshall for the TCR Parade.
Mr. Holbrooks is survived by his wife, Peggy Holbrooks of Stamford, TX; 3 daughters, Debbie Prichard and husband Bobby of Fulshear, TX, Jill Loar and husband Scott of Town Bluff, TX, Tammy Baker and husband Ken of Abilene, TX; 6 grandchildren, B.J. Prichard, Chris Prichard, Sage Watson, Noah Watson, John Weldon Loar and Eli Loar; 8 great grandchildren, Alex Prichard, Adam Prichard, Caleb Prichard, Cooper Prichard, Karly Prichard, Carson Prichard, Mila Watson and Garrison Scott Loar; 1 brother Arby Holbrooks and wife Lynn of Robert Lee, TX; and 1 nephew, Todd Holbrooks. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilson and Trudie Holbrooks.
A special thank you to Weldon’s care givers which include; Mary Smith, Lisa Bustamante, Brenda Griggs, Debbie Calcote, Yolanda Lopez, Lala Acosta, DelFina Gonzales and Martha Hawkins.
Memorials in his name may be made to Cal Farley Boys Ranch, Stamford F.F.A., or First Baptist Church Prayer Garden.
On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: www.tankesleyfuneralhome.com.