Joe Brookshire
01/28/1929-07/21/2025

Joe W. Brookshire passed away at his home on July 21, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was born January 28, 1929 in Polo, Missouri to Lawrence E. Brookshire and Mary Naomi (Hill) Brookshire.
At the age of 2, Joe and his mother moved to Las Animas, Colorado where his father was being treated at Fort Lyon Veterans Hospital for injuries he suffered in WWI.

Joe attended school in Las Animas and graduated in 1948 from Bent County High School. He liked to joke that he was in jail for 7 years. He actually lived in the residence in the Bent County Jail while his father was county sheriff. The 1902 building is registered in the Historical Preservation Society. After graduation, Joe went to work for the Colorado Department of Highways. He was drafted into the US Navy and served aboard the USS Wright from 1949-1953.

Joe married his high school sweetheart Velma Mae Six in December 1949. They resided on a small farm in Las Animas until the fall of 1965. During those years, they had their three children: Deborah, Joe and David.

Joe and his horse Levi spent many years elk hunting in the White River Forest. He loved the area. When he was offered a promotion in 1965, the family moved to their new home in Craig, Colorado. Joe retired in 1984 from his Senior Foreman Position with 35 years with the department.

After they retired, Joe and Velma spent their winters in their second home in Dolan Springs, Arizona. They spent their golden years fishing in Lake Meade, gambling in Laughlin, Nevada, and hosting long time friends at their home.

Joe is survived by his daughter Deborah, sons Joe (Linda) of Craig and David of Nebraska. Grandchildren: Graham (Tiffani) Roberts, Paige Roberts, Shawn (Alesha) Brookshire, Ryan (Alexia) Brookshire, Riley (Samantha) Brookshire and Jesse Brookshire. Great-Grandchildren: Marie and William Roberts, Luke and Kian Brookshire, Renee and Willa Brookshire, Ivan and Isla Chavez and Bryce and Kate Brookshire. He is also survived by his caregivers Lora Stockman and Trina Tousley.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Grant Mortuary. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Craig Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to NWCO Health & Hospice in care of Grant Mortuary.