Gerald "Jack" Brooks

On Tuesday August 24th, 2021 Gerald “Jack/Jackie” Brooks, loving husband and father of three went home to be with the Lord and family that have preceded him in death at the age of 84. Jack was born November 21st, 1936 to John and Edna (Pense) Brooks in Ontario, CA during The Great Depression. They moved back to Oklahoma by train when Jack was an infant. At the train depot baby Jack was the first to be handed down to family as they had not seen the first Brooks family baby boy. Edna’s sister and husband said the first thing they did was kiss that baby’s cheek! Jack’s first recollection of life was living on South 131st Street in a little 3 room house with a exposed tin roof on one side and exposed wood shingles on the other. They lived right next door to Poppy’s place, Jack’s grandfather on Edna’s side. When Jack was in the 2rd grade the family moved to farm property at 101st and Memorial, Tulsa, OK. Near the white church chapel that still stands today. He attended Jenks 2nd grade then switched to Union School in the 3rd grade, but had to walk a half mile to catch the bus. Pretty certain it was up hill both ways layered in snow or desert heat at times! By the time 4th grade rolled around Jack’s father John purchased 80 acres on 131st street in what was known at that time as the Weer Community. Jack attended the small Weer country school there finishing the 8th grade. From 9th grade through 12th he attended Broken Arrow Junior and Senior High. As a Junior/ Senior Jack excelled at flirting with the girls and football. The previous was much to disdain of his girlfriend Nancy Dobbins. Jack or Jackie as some called him was a talented football player. Number 30 and 55, he found a sweet spot playing offensive right end receiving game winning passes from quarterback Bill Lemon. The 1954-55 Broken Arrow Football went on to hold the longest winning streak in Broken Arrow School history. Unfortunately there was no state championship game held that year. Jack also went on to letter in baseball and track. In 1955 after graduating from Broken Arrow High School, Jack went to work for Industrial Machine and Tool where he worked as a crane operator and welder, primarily aircraft hangers, in Altus and various locations in Louisiana. However, there were heart strings pulling him back home. In 1957 he moved back to Broken Arrow taking a job working for The General Telephone Company (aka GTE) who set up a new office. On April 5th, 1958 Gerald “Jack” Lee Brooks married Nancy Carolyn Dobbins at the Church of God of Prophecy Tabernacle located at what is now the North East corner of 71st and Elm in Broken Arrow. He and Nancy, or Gertie as her called her, went on to have 3 children. The oldest son Vince was born in 1966, the middle son Robby in 1969, and the youngest daughter Carolee in 1971. It was a busy household with 3 growing children and 16 dogs over the coming years. He raised pigs, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and begrudgingly a couple horses for Nancy and Carolee. If one ever beheld one of his gardens they were a well maintained work of art. However, Jack’s greatest skill and hobby was building things. In 1965 Jack began building his first home on 111th just west of 145th. He went on to build 8 homes, 6 pole barns, and 1 concrete block shop/home, in addition to hot rods in his early years, a dump truck with trailer, multiple cars/truck/tractor engines, and a worn out Gravely mower a few times. He did this on evenings and weekends while working his full time job with General Telephone for 33 years. This doesn’t account for the time he gave helping other folks build something, or a church project like the Weer Church of God gym and the large railroad tie retaining wall. All these projects still stand today. His last project, a cabin on Ft. Gibson Lake, was his happy place. He loved that property. He began with 10 acres, ended up with 30, and sold it back down to the original 10. A tornado touched down in the front yard in 1998 and so he repaired and rebuilt. He loved to sit out on the deck during the evening and look out across the lake. There were regular visits from groups of deer, young bucks, crows that he fed from time to time, an occasional fox, and his dogs were always company. Usually 2-3 times per day he would venture down to the boat dock and see how the crappie were biting. Even on a bad day he would catch a few. When Jack had some time off from his many endeavors he liked to catch fish. Some would call that fishing. There is a difference between fishing and catching fish. If one ever had to fortune to visit his dock on Ft. Gibson then one would quickly learn the difference. Jack would actually catch fish, while, with exception to only his brothers, all others were just fishing. He topped this talent with his fish fries. Every 4th of July for many years he would fry up batches of crappie for the Brooks’ clan. Everyone left there fat and happy with a fully belly of fish and hushpuppies! No doubt that is what Jack is doing now. Tossing that line out and setting the hook on the slightest nibble. He’ll likely pause from time to time to lend direction on something being built up there, or check and make sure the mowing and trimming are done just right with no spots missed. Then he’ll be right back fishing in no time. Pretty certain the good Lord will come around at some point to drop a line and inquire about that fried fish recipe and when they plan to fire up the cooker! Jack was preceded in death by his father John Brooks, mother Edna Brooks (Pense), baby brother Michael Brooks, oldest sister Patsy Duvall, second oldest sister Margie Parker (who would say she is younger), and younger brother Richard Brooks. Survived by his wife Nancy Brooks, oldest son Vince Brooks, younger son Robby Brooks and wife Stacy (Bolding), and baby daughter Carolee Brooks-Bryan. Brothers Glen Brooks and Ronnie Brooks, baby sister Judy Stephenson and husband Doug, Grandchildren O’shay Brooks, Demi Hood (Brooks), Nehemiah Bryan, Zoe Brooks, Noah Bryan, Rowan Brooks. One recent Great Grandchild Sylas Lucian Hood.

Tributes

Gerald "Jack" Brooks

November 21, 1936 - August 24, 2021