Walter Stevens Brooks

Walter Stevens Brooks 1912 ~ 2004  ST. GEORGE, UT - Walter Stevens Brooks, 91, passed away quietly January 18, 2004 in St. George, Utah. He was born June 24, 1912 in St. George, Utah to William and Nellie Marie Stephens Brooks. He played basketball for Dixie High School and Dixie College and graduated from Dixie College. He lost his mother before he was called on a Spanish speaking mission to Texas and Mexico. He attended BYU and played basketball and participated in track earning a nickname of Tarzan. He graduated from BYU and then began his coaching and teaching career in Hurricane, Utah, coaching all sports at one time or  another. He married Irene Cox in 1939 in the St. George Temple and had eight children which included two sets of twin girls. He loved Hurricane but finally was persuaded to move to St. George and coach at Dixie High School and Dixie College. When Dixie College moved to the new campus, Walt chose to stay with the High School. Walt and Irene served as St. George temple workers for over 50 years. He also served as a Sealer there. Following his retirement he and his spouse served four Spanish speaking missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Costa Rica, Spain, Texas and California. He participated in the Summer Games at Cedar City, Utah and the Senior Olympic Games at St. George, Utah. He participated in the events of shot put, discus and javelin always winning medals - mostly golds - even three months before his death. He received many honors including Coach of the Year seven times, having the Dixie High School Football Stadium named the Walt Brooks Stadium in his honor, and carrying the Olympic Torch in 2002. Coach is survived by his seven children: Paul (Joan Buckmiller) Brooks, Leona (Larry) Shurtliff, Lida (Richard) Larkin, Nellie (Doug) Crow, Nita (Strat) Murdock, Ray (Pam Stout) Brooks, and George (Tammie Talbot) Brooks; his sister, Willa Nita (Tad) Derrick; his brothers, Robert (Florence) Brooks, Clair (LaVon) Brooks, Karl (Carla) Brooks, Kay (Ida Jean) Brooks and Tony (Janet) Brooks. He has 49 grandchildren and 105 great-grandchildren with more to come. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Irene Cox Brooks; his son, Warren Cox Brooks; his parents, William Brooks, Nellie Brooks and Juanita Leavitt Pulsipher Brooks; and his brothers, Paul, Dee and Grant Brooks, and Ern Pulsipher. The funeral will be held on the 24th of January, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Stake Center at Bluff Street and 500 North. A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary as well as a viewing at the Stake Center on Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place in the St. George Cemetery following the funeral under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary (435) 673-4221. Condolences can be sent to our website at  www.metcalfmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, Walt would appreciate a donation to the Walt Brooks Dixie College Scholarship Fund.