John Alphonse Brommel

1961 - 2021

John Alphonse Brommel
Austin - Brommel, John Alphonse, age 59, of Austin, Texas passed away February 5, 2021 in a vehicle accident. Born to James and Margaret Brommel on September 24, 1961 he was the fifth of six children raised on a farm between St. Marys and St. Charles, Iowa. While in the 4-H he had a Grand Champion Black Angus steer at the Warren County Fair. Through the Columbian Squires, a youth organization of the Knights of Columbus, John went with a tour group to Rome. He was the state Chief Squire for Iowa and presented the Pope with an Iowa flag that had been flown over the Iowa State Capitol. John graduated from Martensdale-St. Marys School and lived most of his adult life in the Austin, Texas area.
He was united in marriage to Beckie Gibson and through this union they had two children Katelyn and Kylie. Their marriage ended but John showed his parental skills in every way possible including serving as Girl Scout Cookie coordinator for the troops and a coach for girls' volleyball and basketball teams. He was always the only male adult on any school field trip. It's a good thing he looked good in pink. He was one of five men to start CHRP (Christ Renews His Parish) at St. Albert the Great. Served on the continuation committee for many years and has been a parishioner at St. Alberts since 2003. He helped serve the first Mobile Loaves and Fishes truck run and did so every Christmas morning.
John is survived by his children Katelyn and Kylie, his grandson Krue; parents James Edward and Margaret Ann Brommel; and siblings: Carol (Bob) Bartles of Burlington, Iowa, Jim (Joy) Brommel of Des Moines, Iowa; Mary (Alan) Large of Altoona, Iowa; David (Kathy) Brommel of West Des Moines, Iowa and Jean (David Pitt) Brommel of West Des Moines, Iowa and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
John started his own business first selling ceiling fans at a flea market, then moving onto Black Velvet Elvis paintings, sun glasses, and novelty key chains from the back end of his pick-up. In 1986, he opened The Corner Shoppe which has become Austin's oldest Trading Post. This unique gift shoppe has grown to be the largest selection of taxidermy in the United States. The shoppe specialized in everything from hides, Native American jewelry, full body mounts, and western items. John's unique personality was reflected in how he managed to create this enterprise.
Not only was the Corner Shoppe a major success but John went on to create the Taxidermy King empire. He held the largest taxidermy auctions in the country twice a year in Fort Worth, Texas at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. This expanded to an additional one-day auction in Houston, Texas. During the pandemic, John moved all auctions to his stomping grounds in Austin, Texas.
He was a protector, a mentor, a dad, a grandpa, a businessman, a kind, gentle and generous soul. His goal each day was to make ten people smile. If you met him, you never forgot him. He will be missed by all but we are thankful for all the time, love and support that he shared.
For more details please visit beckchapels.com/obituary/john-brommel
Memorial donations may be made in John's honor to Mobile Loaves and Fishes in Austin,Texas (MLF.org) .