Obituary of Leo "Tony" Brochtrup

October 9, 1950 - July 13, 2025

U.S. Veteran

Leo Anthony “Tony” Brochtrup, Jr., 74, of Woodville, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025 at his home in Woodville, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church. Graveside services will follow at Campground Cemetery, both in Woodville, with Father Jim Aherne officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Andy Brochtrup, brother; Dane Brochtrup, son; Clint Brochtrup, son; Adam Brochtrup, son; Andrew Mills, grandson; and Jacob Mills, grandson. Honorary pallbearers are: Morris Sadleir, Rick Kennedy, Henry Osterman, John Norton, David Mitchell, David Henderson, Larry Schinzler, Ivan Langford, Mike Cannon, Larry Wheatley, Jim Darby, Joe Brochtrup, David Mills, Colby Vardeman, and Philip Lyles.

Tony was born October 9, 1950 to Leo Anthony, Sr. and Lois Eileen Arnold Brochtrup in Pasadena, Texas. Tony attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School in Houston, Texas. He attended Texas A&M University in College Station and Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston. He was a proud member of the Class of ‘72 and a member of the Corps of Cadets. After graduation, he put his education to good use, ultimately becoming a Chief Engineer, seeing the world courtesy of the seven seas. He was commissioned in the U. S. Navy, earning service credit through his career in the maritime industry. Tony was an avid hunter and fisherman. “He had all sorts of interesting knowledge about the outdoors, enough to make one feel stupid at times, but never presented in any other way than that of sharing information,” said his friend, George Hester. There was never a doubt that Tony enjoyed life and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo, Sr. and Lois Brochtrup; Tesa Sullivan, sister; and Mary Huezo, sister.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Frances Louise Brochtrup of Woodville; daughters, Erin Mills and husband David of Fredericksburg, and Brooke Lyles and husband Philip of Conroe; sons, Dane Brochtrup of College Station, Clint Brochtrup and wife Eryn of College Station, and Adam Brochtrup and wife Lindsay of Salado; stepdaughters, Denisha Swearingen of Georgetown, Olivia Swearingen of Nacogdoches, Bonnie Vardeman and husband Colby of Lufkin, and Deirdre Carroll of Austin; and stepson, Dayton Swearingen of San Antonio.

Grandchildren are: Andrew and Jacob Mills; Gabriel, Kinley, Claire, and Samuel Brochtrup; Lainey Lyles; and Margaret, Henry and Leo Brochtrup.

Memorials may be made to Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church and M. D. Anderson Hospital.

Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas.