Tales from the Aisles
McBroom family, Three generations of builders
The McBroom name covers three generations of Osceola builders — Frank McBroom, Rex McBroom, and Roc McBroom. Their craftsmanship is in evidence throughout Osceola, Clarke, and neighboring counties.
Frank McBroom, legendary Osceola builder and father of Rex McBroom, and grandfather of Roc McBroom, laid the brick on the Osceola Post Office and the Lyric Theater. In the early years of World War II, 1941-42, Frank McBroom constructed military bases. His wife, Viola McBroom, and their family lived at construction sites in Arkansas, Kansas, and Mississippi. As a first grader, Rex McBroom remembers changing classmates as they moved among the military bases. The McBroom family lived in shacks. Tin can lids were nailed on the walls and doors to cover holes. There was no refrigeration -- perishables were kept in the creeks.
It is not known how many homes Frank McBroom built. He built the McPherson Addition, which is bordered by West McLane Street, South Ridge Road, and Maple Hill Cemetery. Bernard Linder remembers that Frank built homes all over Osceola, especially in the areas of East Washington, East Dewey, and East Webster Streets. One of the last homes built by Frank McBroom was in 1962 for Dr. Leland Fuller at 428 West McLane Street. His colleague, Dr. C.E. Tindle, remembers Dr. Fuller saying he would never be able to pay for the new home during his lifetime. An unexpected inheritance solved the problem. Ed Lunquist, former owner of Highway Lumber, remembers Frank McBroom as a “good ole’ guy” who had the skills to do anything. Frank McBroom died in 1983.
When Rex McBroom was in 6th grade he started helping his father. By 8th Grade, Rex was shingling roofs. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1954 and began working full time for his father. Rex married Marilyn Price in 1955. Marilyn’s parents are Paul and Lois Price. Her father died when she was eight years old. The Price family had ties to Robinsons. Marilyn worked part time, her sister Kathy Barr worked in menswear, their mother, Lois Price, managed the ladies ready-to-wear. Lois Price was County Treasurer for eight years. She married Fred Harlan, former County Supervisor.
Rex Mc McBroom worked construction for his father for three years after which he and Marilyn bought and operated a dairy farm south of West Lake. While still farming, he drove back and forth to Chariton to supervise a construction crew for Bill Morgan. Realizing he liked the building trade better than milking cows, Rex went into home construction. He has built 117 homes here and away. One of his big projects was the building of the McBroom Addition on Westview Drive. Like his father, Rex can frame, plumb, electrify, do finish carpentry, cabinet making, and decorating.
Rex McBroom, who likes to play golf and fish, began retiring in 1994. He still assists his son Roc McBroom, in the building trade. Rex and Marilyn McBroom have a scenic home near the junction of Highway 152 and Interstate 35. They spend the winters at New Braunfels, Texas. Their daughter, Dr. Beth Volbracht, is a veterinarian at Kirkwood, Illinois.
Roc McBroom, son of Rex and Marilyn McBroom, started helping his father in the building trade at age 10, working weekends and summers. Roc took over his fathers building crew in 1994. The first home Roc built was for Dr. Bruce Harris at 915 Lake Shore Drive in Osceola. He has built 105 homes, mostly in Clarke County, a few in New Virginia, St. Charles, and Norwalk. A majority of these homes have been “spec” homes, built and then sold. He is currently building in the 400 block of West Clay Street where a home has been sold and a second is nearing completion. Like father and grandfather, Roc has all the skills to build a home from the “bottom-up.” Roc’s assistant is Matt Jackson. It takes four to five months to complete a home. Roc says today’s homes are larger because of multiple bathrooms and walk-in-closets.
