Alton Davis Brookreson

Dr. Alton Davis Brookreson, 76, a local resident and physician, died early Sunday morning, Sept. 18, 2011 at his home in San Antonio, Tex. surrounded by family and friends.

Dr. Brookreson, known as ""Davis"" to everyone who knew him, was born May 10, 1935 in Parma, Mo., the son of Poplar Bluff physician, Dr. Alton Friend Brookreson and his wife Margaret. He received his Bachelor of Arts as well as his Masters in Agriculture from the University of Missouri-Columbia before attending the University's Medical School. Upon graduation he entered into and finished his residency in General Surgery in June of 1965. Dr. Brookreson then joined his father's medical practice in Poplar Bluff. He worked in a small clinic with his father and also helped with rounds at the old Poplar Bluff Hospital and later at Hendrickson Clinic. After his father's death, Dr. Brookreson went on to form his own medical partnership at the Brookreson Clinic on Sunset St. With Alma Powell as his chief administrator, Dr. Brookreson formed the BHC partnership in 1992 with Dr. Fred Caldwell and Dr. Alex Hoja. Ultimately the BHC partnership, in conjunction with Lucy Lee Hospital went on to form the Northwest Medical Center and Physician's Park, which continues to serve Poplar Bluff area residents today. Dr. Brookreson's final and most proud achievement was the free clinic he operated in the Dillie Medical Complex after his many health-related issues had forced him to retire from general family practice.

In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Brookreson proudly served on the Poplar Bluff School Board as well as the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority. He received an honorary appointment as a Lt. Colonel of the state of Alabama from then Governor, George Wallace. Upon retirement from practice, in recognition of his many achievements in service to the state and its citizens, the House of Representatives of the State of Missouri adopted House Resolution 1022, wherein the Supreme Court Clerk added Dr. Brookreson's name to the State's honorary roll by special proclamation, thereby memorializing forever his steadfast service to his community, the state and its citizens.

Dr. Brookreson also ran and operated, during his lifetime, Sundown Farms, the Post Farm, and later Brookreson Farms, where he carried on the family's longstanding tradition of growing crops, hay and his favorite passion, raising cattle with his friends and co-workers for generations, the Dorris family. Moreover, Dr. Brookreson was an avid hunter and fisherman who had been featured in articles in both Field and Stream and Fins and Feather's magazines. He was a conservationist of the first order, leaving much of his farmland fallow for the animals to recapture. He also built lakes, streams, and reservoirs on his properties, many of which still hold the species of fishes that he stocked for future generations to catch and release today.

Dr. Brookreson will be remembered as a beloved physician and father, whose waiting room was always filled with individuals from all walks of life, who were waiting to see ""Doc"". He never turned a patient away, and was perhaps, in his time, one of the most revered family practitioners of his or any generation. To his many friends and family members, who survive him, he leaves a bounty of beautiful and treasured memories that always begin and end with a simple pat on the shoulder and a warm and angelic smile.

Dr. Brookreson is survived by his wife Sandra Sue Brookreson of San Antonio, Tex.; children, Sherrie Sanderson of Comfort, Tex., as well as Alton Davis Brookreson II, Steven Brookreson and Michael Brookreson; sister, Linda Broderick of Jackson, La.; and grandchildren, Steven Wade Brookreson II, Alton Lee Brookreson and John Edward Brookreson all of Poplar Bluff.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff with Rev. David Stewart officiating and Dr. Ron Webb assisting. Burial will follow in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff, 416 South C St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901, First United Methodist Church, 500 No. Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901, or Haven House, c/o Cotrell Funeral Service, P.O. Box 548, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902.

Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.