Joe Edgar Brewer

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Joe Brewer (82) on December 26, 2024, after a brief battle with acute onset leukemia. Joe was born on January 9, 1942, in Buffalo, Texas to Edgar Zina and Lola Rona (Smith) Brewer. He lived most of his life in Buffalo, where he built lasting memories and friendships that shaped his vibrant spirit.

He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1960, and then attended Sam Houston State University for a semester where he worked in the dining hall to pay for his meals and miscellaneous expenses. While at SHSU, he joined the Lowman Rifles, the Air Force ROTC Drill Team. During this time Joe realized his draft number would soon be called, so he enlisted in the Air Force in 1961. He attended basic training and advanced Air Police certification at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas his entire enlistment. He learned to drink coffee while conducting night patrols guarding fully loaded, ready to launch, B-52 bombers. He eventually worked his way up where he was in charge of the on-base brig (the confinement facility) and later regaled many tales regarding the prisoners and the travels he would experience during that time to family and friends alike. One of his favorite memories was being on gate duty the morning of November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy passed through his gate just hours before his assassination in Dallas, Texas.

After discharge, he worked for American Airlines as a ticket agent at Love Field and had the opportunity to meet people and personalities alike. Eventually, he went to work for Ling-Timco-Vought(LTV) which was closer to home in Arlington. His job there was as an inspector on the assembly lines. When a directive came down that any further job advancements would depend on a college degree, Joe decided to use his GI Bill and finish what he had started. He and his young family moved to Commerce, Texas where he pursued his dreams and graduated in 1971, from East Texas State University, now Texas A&M-Commerce, with a double major in Animal Science and Business Finance. While living in Commerce and attending Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Joe was ordained a Deacon.

After graduation, he worked as the Hopkins County Dairy Herd Improvement Association representative which involved visiting dairies in the area, taking two milk samples from each cow in the herd, and mailing the samples to Bryan for testing. This helped the dairy farmers know if any of the herd had a problem and allowed the farmer to address it to improve milk production. He enjoyed this job so much, it was decided that the family would go into the dairy business. An attempt to move the dairy to Leon County did not materialize, so the herd was sold and the family moved back to Buffalo in 1977. Joe would later work for Nucor Steel as the Warehouse Coordinator and Inventory Manager. He would later own and operate a western wear store in Lumberton, Texas for several years, but sold it to come back home to Buffalo and Leon County.

He served on many different committees and boards over the years. Of those, his two favorites were Latham Springs Baptist Encampment and the Houston Livestock Show. While serving on the board at Latham Springs, he helped with camp expansion and financial stability. At the end of each summer, he was always thrilled to learn of the many professions of faith, re-dedications and commitments made. At the time of his death, he was still serving on the board as part of the finance committee. During the same timeframe, he served in the Dairy portion of the Houston Livestock Show–and loved it!! He would enjoy visiting with participants and giving experiential and educational advice to them. 

On June 23, 1962, Joe married the love of his life, Dixie Hanna. Together, they shared many wonderful years filled with laughter, love, and countless adventures. Joe was proud of his family and took great joy in nurturing their relationships. After experiencing two heart attacks and a small stroke in 2018, and with a stent now in his heart, he had to slow down somewhat. However, he loved people, loved to talk and share tales of yesterday's gone by.…..and if you knew Joe, you knew he had “the gift of gab.” At the time of his passing, he was a member of the Cowboy Church of Leon County, a community that filled his heart with faith and friendship.

Joe was preceded in death by both of his parents; infant daughter, Debbie Lyn Brewer, and brother, Jimmy Luther Brewer. He is survived by his wife, Dixie Brewer of Buffalo; sons, Wade Brewer (Becky) of Buffalo and Wesley Brewer (Jennifer) of Hewitt; daughter, Lydia Brewer of Buffalo; grandchildren, Tristan Brewer of Buffalo, Joe Brewer, II (Chris) of Liberty, Chelsea Brewer-Eakin (Harley) of Oakwood, Bryce Thornley of Radcliff, Kentucky, Lindsay Brewer Meadows (Chase) of Hewitt, Jacquelyn Joy Brewer of Hewitt, and Cameron Golden (Kinzie) of Radcliff, Kentucky; great-grandson, Sage, and one more great-grandchild on the way; as well as niece, Lisa Brewer Grant (Randy) of Buffalo. Joe is also survived by numerous great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and extended family.

In honor of Joe’s life, the community is invited to join us for visitation on January 2, 2025, from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Walters' Buffalo Funeral Home, Buffalo, Texas. On January 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM, a funeral service to celebrate Joe’s remarkable life and the impact he had on all of us will be held at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at Buffalo Cemetery with military funeral honors rendered by the U.S. Air Force.

Pallbearers: Joe Brewer, II, Cameron Golden, Bryce Thornley, Harley Eakin, Chase Meadows, Gus Brewer, Stan Keeling, Oscar Henson

Honorary Pallbearers: Mack Brewer, Dennis Hartley, Will Kent, Gene Scott, Buddy Spikes, Kenny Walker, Hal Smith, Randy Grant, Randy Reid, Mark Mitchell, J.W. Brewer, Dudley Brewer, Larry Potts, Bryan Potts, Kevin Potts

Joe’s spirit will live on through the love he shared with everyone he knew and those he had only just met, including the ones who took care of him during his brief illness. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. As we reminisce about his kindness, wisdom, and zest for life, let us find comfort in the memories that bind us together.

In lieu of flowers, the Brewer family kindly requests memorial donations be made in his honor to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  A link is provided below  

Final arrangements are under the direction of Walters' Buffalo Funeral Home, Buffalo, Texas.