James William Brooks

1923 - 2004

James William Brooks passed away, Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at a local hospital.

Funeral: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Greenwood Chapel, with the Rev. Paul Thompson officiating. Entombment: private.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Student Loan Fund, Box 910888, Dallas, Texas 75391-888, or the Shriners Hospital for Children, in care of Moslah Shrine Headquarters, Box 1320, Fort Worth, Texas 76101-1320.

Dr. Brooks graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1951. Following an internship at John Peter Smith Hospital, he opened a general practice of medicine in Fort Worth in June 1952, which he served for 52 years. Prior to entering medical school, he served in the Army Air Force Reserve from June 1942 to February 1943, when he was called to active duty. He flew a B-17 in the European theater of World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in August 1946. In addition to his 52 years of active medical practice, Dr. Brooks served 29 years as a "rodeo doc" for the Southwestern Livestock Show and Rodeo. His memberships in Polytechnic Masonic Lodge #925 and Moslah Shrine Temple spanned 40 years.

Dr. Brooks was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Nina Floy Brooks, and his brother, J. Robert Brooks.

Survivors: Wife, Martha Talkington Brooks; children, Lynda Brooks Foster and her husband, Stephen, with their children, Catherine and Michael Sakewitz and Jeffrey Foster, Cindy Brooks O'Leary and her husband, Jim, with their children, Staci and Wallace Wheeler and Lisa O'Leary, Thomas "Tom" Brooks with his children, Dylan and Donovan, and Beverly Brooks and her fiance, Ted Willis; great-granddaughter, Samantha Sakewitz; brothers and sisters, Edwin and Carolyn Brooks, Carolyn "Bess" Simmons, Patricia and Ed Birdwell, John and Robyn Brooks and Brenda and Rob Collins; sister-in-law, Norma Pryor Brooks; and several nieces, nephews and loving friends.