Joe Carroll Brooker, age 74, went home to his Lord on Sunday, July 10, 2022. A memorial visitation will be Saturday, July 16 from 11 am to 1pm at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street, Abilene. Joe was born in Cisco, Texas April 25,1948, to J.C. and Imogene Brooker and lived in the Big Country his entire life. He attended school in Abilene and was a graduate of Abilene High School. Joe worked at AMPI from the time he was eighteen until his retirement. Joe enjoyed the country life, the outdoors, and nature. As a younger man, he was a true rodeo cowboy. Joe enjoyed metal work and created art out of recycled objects. After retiring, Joe focused on his love of cattle ranching, and farmed wheat to provide for his beloved cows. He married "the love of his life" Mary Lou in 1993 and they were inseparable until her passing in 2016. Devoted to his family and friends, he was always ready to help anyone who asked, not with a "hand out", but with a "hand up". He did not go to church every Sunday, but he loved the Lord and nature was his chapel. Preceded in death by his parents, J.C and Imogene Brooker, his beloved wife Mary Lou, brothers Jerry Bryan, Clark Bryan, and sister Clarie Knapp. Survived by his daughters, Beverly North and husband Rodney of Lubbock, and Debra Brooker of Lubbock; sisters, Charlene Soto and husband Leo of Abilene, Sherry Owens, and husband Curtis of Abilene; grandchildren, Amanda, Elizabeth, Logan, M'Kenzie, Kynedi; eight nieces and one nephew along with uncountable family members and friends. The Family wants to thank Hendrick Hospice for the loving care he received.