Sheriff's Deputy, War Veteran Presented With Custom-Built Home at San Angelo Rodeo

SAN ANGELO, TX — U.S. Army Private First Class Ian Rook thought he was simply working at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Wednesday night, but what his family and he didn’t know was they were in store for the surprise of their lives. During the rodeo, Ian and his family were surprised with the news they are receiving a custom-built, mortgage-free home in San Angelo in 2018.

Operation FINALLY HOME and Biggerstaff Homes, along with the Home Builders Association of San Angelo, have teamed to build the home for the Rook family.  Ian was joined by his wife, Sarah, and their two children in addition to representatives from Operation FINALLY HOME, Biggerstaff Homes and HBA of San Angelo.

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Above: Rodeo executive Tom Thompson, left points to where the Rooks are seated, as Colby Biggerstaff stands ready to give the family the "key" to their soon-to-be-built home. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

The home will be built in The Bluffs neighborhood in west San Angelo.  While the date hasn’t been set yet, the groundbreaking is planned for late April and construction will begin in early May.

WATCH: The presentation:
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PFC Ian Rook knew early on that he wanted to serve his country, so at 17-years-old he joined the U.S. Army’s delayed entry program on an airborne ranger contract. He worked closely with his recruiters and even convinced five others to join with him, earning his starting rank of Private First Class upon enlistment.

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Above: San Angelo rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus sets up the presentation of the new home for Ian Boyd and family. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

During his deployment to Afghanistan, he performed a variety of jobs including rifleman, driver and brigade radio operator. A late-night walk on Kandahar Airfield turned into a bad night when they came under rocket fire.  Rook ended up with a broken back and injured hips which weren’t detected until he returned home along with suffering from PTSD and other ailments.

Rook received several decorations for his service, such as the Afghanistan War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.

After marrying his sweetheart, Sarah, and moving back to San Angelo from Washington, adjusting to civilian life was a challenge for the Rook family.  Rook continued to be in severe pain and depression about being retired from the military. Yet he knew he had to support his growing family.  To do that, he opted to continue a career in public service.

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Above: As HBA members look on, Colby Biggerstaff hugs Sarah Rook after presenting her family with the key to their new home. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

After working at the county jail, followed by a position with the Gang Intelligence Unit, he was eventually hired as a patrold with the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office.

The Rook family enjoys being outdoors and taking road trips together along with spending quality time with their family and friends.  

Operation FINALLY HOME along with Biggerstaff Homes and the Home Builders Association of San Angelo are thrilled to provide Ian Rook and his family with a custom-built, mortgage-free home in San Angelo, Texas.

Based in New Braunfels, Texas, Operation FINALLY HOME was established in 2005 as a nonpartisan/nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of Operation FINALLY HOME is to provide homes and home modifications to America’s military Heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and values. Operation FINALLY HOME partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, remodelers, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help these Heroes and their families by addressing one of their most pressing needs – a place to call home. To find out more, visit OperationFinallyHome.org.

Biggerstaff Homes is a third generation custom home builder and remodeler, Texas native Michael Biggerstaff was raised in the industry. In 1984, he began building homes in San Angelo, Texas and slowly expanded to multiple West Texas markets. In 1991, Michael Biggerstaff Homes Inc. began developing residential subdivisions in the San Angelo area. The company has built more than 800 homes throughout West Texas and continues to grow.  Michael’s son, Colby, graduated from Texas Tech University in 2011, and returned to San Angelo to take his place as a fourth generation builder, continuing the Biggerstaff legacy of premier, high-end custom home building. In 2015, the company became Biggerstaff Homes Inc. when Colby became an owner.  Check out Biggerstaffhomes.com for more information.

The Home Builders Association of San Angelo is a non-profit professional trade organization comprised of builders and associate members who subscribe to the highest business and ethical practices and who are committed to fostering an environment conducive to help the growth of businesses within the industry.  We believe in the American dream of home ownership and are dedicated to making this dream a reality.