John W. BROKAW

1936 - 2016

BROKAW, John W.
John W. Brokaw, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend died on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the age of 79 after a valiant battle with cancer.

He was born in Phoenix, AZ on September 17, 1936, the son of Helen Freeland and John W. Brokaw. He married Zoanne Sherlock after they attended Arizona State University, where they both received Bachelor's degrees. He later received his Master's degree from the University of Arizona. While he was in college Jack was an active member of the Scottish Rite Masons, and remained a lifelong member of the Sajuaro Lodge in Phoenix.

Jack also served in the U. S. Air Force and in the Air National Guard during his college years. In later years he was an active member of the Air Force Security Forces Association, serving as its national president and on the Board of Directors. He was eventually named a Life Member.

In 1965 Jack and Zoanne moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where he earned his Ph.D. from Indiana University. In 1968 Jack joined the faculty of the University of Texas as a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. For the next 33 years, he taught generations of undergraduate and graduate students and served as the Graduate Advisor. He loved teaching and made his classes come alive for his students, receiving over the years several teaching excellence awards from both the College of Fine Arts and the Cabinet of College Councils. He retired from the University in 2001 and was named Professor Emeritus.

His beloved wife Zoanne survives him, as well as his daughters Mary Lisa, Anne and Katherine, sons-in-law John and Forrest, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He truly cherished all of his children and their families.

Jack's loving family and many friends will miss him very much, particularly his kindness, his integrity, and his wry sense of humor, which never deserted him even in his final days.