John Carlyon Brewer Jr.
John Carlyon Brewer Jr.
February 28, 1937 — December 7, 2018
John Carlyon Brewer Jr., of Lakeway, Texas, and recently of Kingsland, Texas, retired golf club professional and life member century of the PGA of America, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at Baylor Scott & White Hospital, Lakeway, after battling with heart issues for several years and cancer the last year.
He was born Feb. 28, 1937, in Dallas, to the late John Carlyon Brewer Sr. and the late Doris Atwood Brewer. John grew up in Athens, Texas, and graduated Athens High School in 1955, where he was a member of both the golf and tennis teams. In 1953 at the age of 16, he won the Texas State 18U Tennis Singles championship. After graduation, he attended Henderson Junior College and starred on the tennis team. He later joined the Texas Fighting Aggie golf team. He later attended Stephen F. Austin State University pursuing a degree in mathematics. Following college John worked for an oil exploration company as a navigator on a seismic survey boat that took him throughout the Gulf of Mexico and along the coast of South America. In 1962, in Houston he met Ida Farhart, who he married on July 7, 1962, and remained faithfully and lovingly married to until his demise. Soon after meeting his bride, John began a career in the golf business that would span six decades. He either lead or was part of the golf staffs at Mexia Country Club in Mexia, Texas; Monterey Country Club in Vivian, Louisiana; Piney Woods Country Club in Nacogdoches, Texas; Battle Lake Golf Club in Mart, Texas; and Echo Creek Country Club in Leagueville, Texas.
In recent years, he frequently served as a course marshal at Lighthouse Golf Club in Kingsland, Texas. His longest stint was from 1971 to 1988 wherein he built, owned, and operated Battle Lake Golf Club near Mart just outside Waco. However, for the last 40-plus years John was an unofficial member of the golf staff at Tawokoni Golf Course near Quinlan, Texas, where he enjoyed spending time playing golf and hanging out with his lifelong friends, The Livelys, and many other members there. During his time in Mart, he was elected and served as a board member for the Mart Independent School District. Known as a hard worker, he once was asked for a description of his work hours he replied “whenever the sun was shining.” From that point on he was known as “Sunshine.” He was a witty “smack” talker on the golf course gifted with the ability to make fun of somebody else’s bad shot or missed putt and have that person laughing too. The Lord blessed him with a beautiful golf swing but cursed him with a terrible putting stroke.
John is survived by his loving wife Ida; his son Robert Reagan Brewer of Lakeway, Texas, and his daughter-in-law Penny Meiske Brewer whom he adored. He left behind two grandsons, John Christian Brewer, 22, and Cade Atwood Brewer, 20, both of which he was unabashedly proud of and ready to brag about when given the opportunity. He was a lifelong Aggie, but he bled burnt orange for Longhorn football his last two years with us. He also enjoyed favorite uncle status with many nieces and nephews on his wife’s side of the family. Lastly, he is survived by his beloved puppy dog, Cutie Patootie.
A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at the Highland Lakes Church of Christ located at 2310 Ranch Road 1431, Kingsland, on Monday, Dec. 17, beginning at 1 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish, Lake Travis. Remembrances may be left at wcfish.com.
