All American Futurity winning owner Joe Dee Brooks, 61, passed away October 24, 2024.

© Courtesy Krestridge Funeral Home

LEVELLAND, TX–NOVEMBER 3, 2024–All American Futurity(G1) winning owner Joe Dee Brooks, 61, of Levelland, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 24, 2024. He was born to Calvin and Lujuana Sue (Brown) Brooks on February 12, 1963, and was a lifelong and proud resident of Levelland.

He was welcomed to Heaven by his parents and his grandparents, Murrell and Marie Brown and James and Dean Brooks, as well as his sister, Cobie Renae Brooks, and many cherished friends, loyal dogs, and beautiful horses.

Remaining to honor his legacy are his adoring wife, Melanie; two sons, Dustin Brooks and wife, Haley, Dallas Pena and wife, Katie; two daughters, Ashley Vinyard and husband, Nathan, and Amber Wisdom and husband, Chay; eight grandchildren, Claire, Caroline, Emma, Silas, Austin, Nora, Tatum, and Stormi; father-in-law, Marvin McCaul; grandmother-in-law, Peggy Bingham; two sisters, four brothers, numerous nephews and nieces, beloved chosen brothers and sisters, and his bestie pups, Elvis and Roadie.

After graduation from Levelland High School, Joe Dee went to work in the oilfield, where his work ethic, together with his constant and steadfast thirst for knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit, and unbridled personality, enabled him to climb his way to owning and partnering in numerous successful business ventures in the industry throughout his life.

In true Joe Dee fashion, he also served on the Levelland Fire Department and worked as an EMT. When he was in his mid-thirties, after selling one of his businesses, his idle hands could not sit still, so he enrolled in classes at South Plains College, where he earned an associate degree. Joe Dee never quit seeking knowledge; it was at the core of who he was.

Joe Dee always gave back to his community and served many organizations, including the Levelland Chamber of Commerce, City Council, and South Plains Community Action. He was a past board member of Covenant Hospital, the New Mexico Racing Commission Horsemen’s Association, and the South Plains College Foundation Board.

He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, where he was co-honored as Horseman of the Year. The Texas Association of Business awarded Joe Dee Small Businessman of the Year, and he was once named Citizen of the Year by the Levelland Chamber of Commerce. He was honored with the South Plains College Pacesetter Award for his avid support of South Plains College. Joe Dee was a proud member of the Red Raider Club and a staunch supporter of Texas Tech athletics.

Joe Dee loved being outdoors where fishing, hunting, and arrowhead searching were some of his favorite pastimes. He was passionate about cooking and grilling on his smoker, and there wasn’t a recipe he came across that he didn’t add to and leave his own mark on.

Grilling, watching, attending sporting events, traveling, entertaining friends and family, riding around the countryside, making new friends at every turn, were just a few of his favorite life ventures. He loved music and, in fact, even had a local band at one point.

Sitting around listening to music and strumming on his guitar was his release. His happy place was at Lake Brownwood, both on the water and at his ranch, and the memories he made with his wife, children, grandkids, and friends will be eternally cherished.

He was enthusiastic about horse racing and owned numerous Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. He achieved the pinnacle of Quarter Horse racing last year when he and his best friend won the All-American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs with two-time champion Cowboys Gun Z.

Racing under the name West Texas Racing Partners they won 21 races and earned $1,841,419.

Above all, Joe Dee put his family and his friends, his chosen family, first. In the gameshow of life, Joe Dee was everyone’s "lifeline". The call you made when you heard the best news and wanted to share it with the voice on the other end who would always be equally as happy for you. The call you made when you needed the answer to the random question you could not quite find the answer to. The call you made when life was giving you lemons who would somehow help you make the best lemonade. The call you made period, because you knew he would pick up, and he would show up. No questions asked.

Joe Dee was a father, a husband, a Papaw, a friend, and a mentor, and the hole his passing has left in the hearts of all who knew him will not soon be mended. His servant’s heart was too big for this world, and we are eternally grateful for his giving spirit, his larger-than-life personality, and for the life he so generously and selflessly shared with those who had the honor orbiting his circle.

Joe Dee truly lived life every single day, and he was a shining example of what it meant to be a leader, all the while giving his time and his love freely and abundantly. If you knew Joe Dee for six minutes or knew him for 61 years, he always made you feel special, heard, and loved. Rest in peace, collect your reward, and bask in the glory of the promised Kingdom our dear husband, father, Papaw, and friend. Forever, rest assured your legacy will be that of love, above all.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 30 at South Plains College Texan Dome, Levelland, Texas.

Services were under the direction of Krestridge Funeral Home.