In Memory ~ Brooks, Roger

 

In Memory ~ Roger Brooks

Roger Brooks, age 80 of Sioux Falls, SD passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2023.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 PM at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls.  His Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, October 11, 2023, also at the funeral home.  Interment with Military Honors to follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls.  

Roger was born on January 23, 1943, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and grew up on ranches in both Wyoming and Nebraska. He was educated in Alliance, NE where he then followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Navy. Roger joined up in 1962 after meeting his future wife Mary at the local roller-skating rink where he worked. They married in 1966, and he had 22 years of active military service where he retired as a Senior Chief-Personnelman (E-8). During his military career, he served on four ships, served in Vietnam, and recruited until he retired. Following his military career, Roger sold insurance for Modern Woodmen of America. He also served in the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years, Brandon City Council for 8 years, and SD State Legislator for 8 years. Roger was a Life Member of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) since 1965, a member of the Tri-State Navy Chief Petty Officers Association, the American Legion Post 0318 of Brandon, a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4726 also in Brandon SD, and a Life Member of Viet Nam Veterans of America Chapter 959 of Sioux Falls.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Mary Brooks of Sioux Falls, SD; daughters, Michell (Michael) Williams of Sioux Falls, SD and Kimberly (Chuck) Graham of Rochester, NY; granddaughter, Kjerstin (Cole) Hensley of Troy, MI; grandson, Wallace Graham (fiancé, Michaela Reilly) of San Diego, CA; brother, Monty (Twila) Brooks of Pueblo, CO; sister, Mickie (Candi) James of Columbus, IN; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Steven Brooks and Samuel (Nancy Jo) Brooks.

From our 50th class reunion book

Brooks, Roger

Spouse ~ Mary

117 S Country Club Ave.

Brandon, SD 37005

605-582-7170

rogmarybrooks@alliancecom.net

C ~ Michell Le Ann Williams (Brandon, SD), Kimberly Jo Graham (Penfield, NY)

G ~ Kjerstin Williams (Brandon, SD), Wallace David Graham (Penfield NY

I was born on 23 Jan 1943 in Scottsbluff NE.  I married Mary Ellen Dickinson from Hemingford, NE on 17 Sep 1966 in Hemingford, NE.  The wedding of weddings ~ I was in Oak Harbor WA at my new duty station. Mary was in Omaha NE finishing her Nursing Training. Katharine was in Yakuska Japan serving as a Navy Nurse.  J.D. was in Tulsa OK, medically retired from the Navy.  Wedding gowns were being made in Montana by Mary and Katharine's aunt.  The wedding was to be in Hemingford NE where Hans and Edna, the bride’s parents lived. Somehow it all came together and all went well. 

I retired on 28 Feb 1983 from U.S. Navy and transferred to the Fleet Reserve Omaha NE.  I became permanently retired on 1 Aug 1991 from U.S. Navy and was placed on the Permanent Retired List after 30 years.  I retired on 31 Dec 2005 from work and started drawing Social Security then I retired on 28 Feb 2006 from Modern Woodmen of America and started receiving my Retirement Check from them.  After I graduated from High School I enlisted and served in the military Jan 4 1962 to Feb 28 1983 in United States Navy.  Boot Camp, San Diego, CA  [Jan 1962 - Mar 1962].  RM A School, Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, VA [Mar 1962 - Aug 1962]. USS AMPHION AR-13 [Aug 1962 - Aug 1963]. USS GEORGETOWN AGTR-2 [Aug 1963 - Dec 1964]. USS TOWHEE AGS-28 [Jan 1965 - Jan 1966] Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA [Jan 1966 - Feb 1969]. Prior Viet Nam Training  [Feb 1969 - Oct 1969]. Culture Training, San Diego, CA, Language Training, Coronado, CA, SURVIVAL TRAINING, Warner Springs, California, WEAPONS TRAINING, Camp Pendleton, CA. In Country Viet Nam with Commander Costal Surveillance Force CTF-115, Cam Ran Bay. [Oct 1969 - Sep 1970] Operations Sea Float CTF116 Chu Lon River: (Dec 1969 - Jan 1970) VP -19 at Moffitt Field, CA [Oct 1970 - Oct 1971]. Naval Air Tactical Training Command, Millington, Tennessee [Jan 1972 - Jan 1976]. USS WAINWRIGHT CTG-28, Charleston, South Carolina [Jan 1976 – Jan 1979].  Naval Recruiting Command, Omaha, NE [Jan 1979 - Feb 1983].  Feb 28, 1983.

I retired from the Navy after 21 years 6 months of active service. We chose to stay in Brandon where I was a member of Brandon Volunteer Fire Department Jan 1983 until Dec 1993 in Brandon, SD.  I was elected as State Representative for District Ten and served from Jan 1993 until Dec 2000 in the State Legislature of SD.  I served as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for my last two years in office.  I also served as Vice-Chairman of the Education Committee for two years.  I was an Operations Supervisor Jan 1994 to Jun 2004 in OfficeMax, Sioux Falls, SD.  I worked a Security Guard Jun 2004 to Dec 2005 in Tri-State Security and Patrol Inc., Sioux Falls, SD.  I am a Life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America in Brandon, SD.  I was elected as Alderman to City Council May 2008 to May 2012 in Brandon, SD.  I am a member of Tri-State Navy Chief's Association Since 1988 in Sioux Falls, SD.  I was a member of Toastmaster International Club 210 Since 1995 in Sioux Falls, SD.  I held the rank of Advanced Toastmaster (Gold) with Competent Leader Designation.  I am a member of American Legion Since 1996 in Brandon, SD.  I am a member of Fleet Reserve Association Life Member Since Dec 1965. I am a member of The Retired Enlisted Association Since Jun 1995 in Brandon, SD.  You can view my “shadow box” here http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=419644