Joe Brooks

Joe C. Brooks was born January 4, 1929, to Joe and Stella Brooks in Broken Arrow, OK, who preceded him in death. Upon graduating from Broken Arrow High School in 1946, Joe joined the U.S. Navy for three years, where he learned his trade of working on airplanes, serving on various aircraft carriers. While on leave from the Navy, he returned to Broken Arrow to marry the love of his life, Mary Jo Hall, on January 10, 1949, a union that would last 75 years. After his discharge, he worked for Trans World Airlines for over thirty years before he took early retirement. He was based first in Kansas City, MO, at their maintenance facility and ended his career as the lead flight mechanic at the Tulsa station. Traveling was always in Joe’s blood. In the Navy, his service took him to China, Japan, and Hawaii. He took his entire family to Europe using non-revenue employee tickets on TWA. Later, he, his daughter, and his youngest son flew around the world on TWA’s round-the-world route. Upon retirement, Joe and his wife, Mary Jo, traveled the country in their RV, visiting all 50 states, Mexico, and Canada. Traveling expanded his opportunity to do another of his favorite hobbies, fishing. Joe was active in local church life from his early days at Broken Arrow’s First Assembly of God church, now The Assembly. He continued his practice of attending and serving in many AG churches and multiple positions, including as a deacon. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the Eastland Assembly of God Church in Tulsa, OK. In his spare time, Joe volunteered for many organizations, from serving as President of the Southeast Bears organization, which provided sports for young people in Southeast Tulsa, to volunteering at the Red Cross, where he gave gallons of blood and thousands of volunteer hours of service. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Wilson Foos. Surviving family include: Wife Mary Jo Brooks, living at Franciscan Villa, Broken Arrow, OK Brother Bob Brooks and his wife Golda of Yuma, AZ Three children, Michael Brooks and his wife Sandra of Overland Park, KS, Vickie Gates of Tulsa, OK, and Mark Brooks and his wife Valerie of Broken Arrow, OK. There are four grandchildren: Alexander Gates of Tulsa, OK, Jonathan Brooks of Lucas, TX, Sterling Gates of Sherman Oaks, CA, and Amy Brooks Cherry, living in Otterbach, Germany. Six great-grandchildren also survive him. Joe passed into eternity with his wife, Mary Jo, at his side on February 16, 2024.

Tributes

Joe Brooks

January 4, 1929 - February 16, 2024