Brockton Lockwood 1944-2018

Brocton Lockwood, 74, of Herrin, died Monday, May 21, 2018. He was born January 10, 1944, son of Randolph Scott D Lockwood and Bonnie (Allen) Favrot.

Brocton married Gala Lindsey on March 16, 2001. She survives. 

Brocton is survived by three children, Arden Dudek of Georgestown, Texas, Allen Lockwood of Cambridge, Md., and Jessica Lockwood of St. Louis, Mo.; two grandchildren, Beau and Mina Brandstetter; stepson and daughter-in-law, Dan and Alana King of Marion; and two grandchildren, Austin and Colten King.

He is also survived by one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Carolyn Lindsey of Makanda; and many dearly loved cousins and special friends and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was proceeded in death by his parents.

Brocton grew up on a small farm between Carbondale and Murphysboro in Southern Illinois. He attended Carbondale Community High School, Oberlin College and Vanderbilt School of Law. While in college and law school, he worked for local police forces in Ohio and Maine, and worked as an investigator for the U. S. Attorney’s Office in Nashville, Tenn.

After law school, he returned to Carbondale, where he practiced as a trial lawyer in both civil and criminal trials. He served for a time as Carbondale City Attorney, and taught in the Administration of Justice Department at Southern Illinois University on a part-time basis.

Between 1978 and 1983 he served as a judge in Williamson County, from which he was assigned to serve in Chicago. He became an undercover cooperating witness for the Justice Department during Operation Greylord.

In 1983, he returned to practice law in Marion until 2000, when he was once again appointed to a judicial position. This time he worked in Saline County and retired in 2006. He and his wife, Gala, live in Herrin.

In 2011, he and historian Gary DeNeal wrote Shades of Gray, a novel about the turbulent times in Williamson County. He always considered this his greatest last adventure.