Tommy Deerman

Tommy "Brook" Deerman was born in Farmington on May 30, 1970, and went to be home with the Lord on Sunday, January 22, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Joley, his daughter, Maddy, and his mother, Pete Ann Deerman.

Brook had a full and active life. During their college days, he and his wife were on the NMSU rodeo team and qualified for and competed at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Finals. Brook was an artist with a rope and competed in various rodeo associations, including the PRCA. During his career as a roper, Brook was highly successful and garnered numerous rodeo awards and titles.

After Brook and his wife graduated from NMSU, they moved home to the Teel Ranch in Hope. Shortly thereafter, they both received their Masters degrees from Grand Canyon University. Brook taught science, math, and social studies at Artesia Intermediate School and, in 2016, began teaching in Carlsbad. He loved teaching, and, throughout the years, Brook touched the lives of many students.

In 2003, Brook sustained a serious injury to his roping arm, which ended his rodeo career. His injury, however, did not end his interest in roping, in helping others to become better ropers, or in training good performance horses. Thus, he shifted directions and put all of his energy and talent into helping his daughter succeed in the rodeo arena, which included training top horses for her to ride.

Although he never regained full use of his right arm, Brook continued to dream of winning a team roping with his daughter, his "baby girl." With courage and grit, he realized that dream in 2015 when he and Maddy competed as a team and won an open team roping.

While Brook had many interests and various talents, his primary enjoyment came from helping daughter Maddy rope, celebrating her successes in academics and in the rodeo arena, and spending time working alongside both his wife and daughter on the Teel ranch in Hope.

Brook was a loving husband, father, and son. He will be sorely missed, but he will be remembered with love.

A memorial service to honor Brook's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27, at the Artesia Horse Council rodeo arena. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Service

Memorial Contributions