AUSTIN, Texas -- Leo Brooks, a defensive star for Texas during the late 1960s and the father of a Longhorns letterman from the mid '90s, lost his battle with cancer on Thursday. Brooks was 53 years old.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder from Kermit, Texas, earned All-Southwest Conference honors as a defensive tackle for the Longhorns' 1969 National Championship team despite missing the latter half of the season with a knee injury.

A second-round NFL draft choice by the Houston Oilers in 1970, Brooks played three years in Houston and spent four years with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1976, in what turned out to be his final season, he was named to the Pro Bowl. Following the death of his father-in-law that spring, he gave up his football playing career and returned to Austin to run the family business.

Brooks was the president and CEO of the Leo Brooks Company, which interests include ranching, commercial real estate appraising and hunting leases. The holdings included the Winkel-Brooks Ranch in Llano, Texas.

His son, Corby, was a starter in the Texas offensive line 1994-95.

Born Dec. 7, 1947, in Shidler, Okla., Brooks grew up in Kermit, where he was an outstanding high school athlete. At Texas, he moved from offense to defense during his junior season of 1968 and played a critical role in the first half of the Longhorns' 30-game winning streak, which stretched from 1968-70.

Brooks was on his way to an All-America season as a dominating defensive tackle in 1969 when he sustained a season-ending knee injury in UT's sixth game of the season (vs. SMU). However, he played well enough to earn first-team all-conference honors.

He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in February 2001 and died at the M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, son, Corby, and daughter, Ashley.

Funeral services tentatively are set for Monday and are under the direction of Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin.

From the Austin American.  His funeral was attended by many of your buds including Coach.  Great sendoff:

 Austin American Statesman

04/07/2002  Leo Brooks December 7, 1947 - April 4, 2002 

Leo Brooks, 54, of Austin and Llano, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2002, in the company of his family at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. He was born on December 7, 1947 in Shidler, Oklahoma. After growing up in West Texas, Leo attended the University of Texas

where he was a two-time all SWC defensive tackle as a member of the 1969

National Championship Longhorn Football Team and was a member of the Silver Spurs

Honorary Mens Service Organization. Leo's collegiate nickname, ``Large'',transcended every aspect of his life. At 6'6'' and 290 pounds, Leo's stature was onlyovershadowed by the size of his heart and his love of people and animals. Following his collegiate career, Leo played seven years in the National Football League, three years for the Houston Oilers and four years for the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired from the NFL to run the family ranching and hunting business in Llano and to pursue a career as an MAI in the commercial real estate appraisal business in Austin. Leo spent his happiest moments on his beloved ranch in Llano, working with the cattle that he raised with great pride.

Leo served as the president of the Austin Chapter of the National Football League Alumni Association, on the board of directors of the Federal Land Bank, and was a member of the University of Texas Letterman's Association. Leo spent countless hours coaching baseball and basketball teams in the Northwest Austin youth programs. He was not only a coach, but also a surrogate dad to many local children. Leo is survived by his wife, Judy Winkel Brooks; son, Corby Brooks and wife, Erin; daughter, Ashley Brooks, all of Austin; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brooks of Llano, and sister-in-law,

Carol Carpenter Winkel of Midland. Leo is also survived by a close family of friends whose lives have forever been touched by his friendship. Leo was a loving father and husband who was actively involved in every aspect of his family's life. Leo's greatest joy and source of pride were his children, Corby and Ashley.

They were blessed to have a father that was totally devoted to them until the day he died. Leo lived and enjoyed life to the fullest and ensured that others around him did as well.

He was a gentleman and a gentle man, whose concern for others transcended even this last difficult year. Leo was large in life and will remain large in our memory.

Family visitation was held Sunday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 8, 2002, at 11:00 a.m., at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the Llano Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all of those who have cared for Leo over the past year for their kindness and concern.

An athletic scholarship is being created in his memory at the University of Texas at Austin. Donations may be made to a fund for the Leo Brooks Football Scholarship,

in care of the Longhorn Legacy, P.O. Box 7399, Austin, Texas 78713-7399.

Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705,

(512) 452-8811.