Stephen Brooks

1950 - 2022

TAMPA, Fla. - Stephen Robert Brooks, loving husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully on Dec. 18, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. He was 72 years old. It is no exaggeration to say that Steve lived a very full and accomplished life, and he leaves behind a legacy of profound impact on all those who knew him.

Steve was born in St. Louis, on Nov. 18, 1950, and grew up there with his parents, Robert and Shirley, and his younger brothers, Allan, Donald and Christopher. Steve was a basketball star, with his 6-foot-9-inch height and impressive hook shot, he was tough to defend inside the paint and a disruptive force on the defensive end of the court.

Upon graduating from McCluer High School, Steve accepted a full scholarship from Arkansas State University where he was named First Team All-Southland Conference twice (1971-72 and 1973-74) and Second Team All-Southland once (1970-71). He is ninth on Arkansas State's career scoring list, sixth on the career rebounds list, and fifth on the career rebounding average list.

He was the Southland Conference MVP and an Associated Press honorable-mention All-American for the 1973-74 season and was elected to the Arkansas State University Athletics Hall of Honor in 1995. Drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 1974 NBA draft, he went on to play professionally in Italy and the Philippines before setting his sights on private business.

Over the course of the next 45 years, Steve would go on to become a highly successful and respected business leader across the security, hardware and hospitality industries. He served for 20 years as senior vice president of Brooks Enterprises, Brooks True Value Hardware, and Brooks Lock and Security in St. Louis before relocating to Florida where he founded Lodging Access Systems and oversaw the sales, service and installation of lock and security systems for a variety of hotel access system manufacturers.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Steve founded his final company, RFID Hotel, at the age of 60. His vision, drive and determination guided RFID Hotel to tremendous success over the next decade, becoming a global leader in hotel operating supplies and occupying a place on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America.

Despite his success in athletics and business, Steve was most proud of his family whom he adored. He is survived by Donna, his wife of 50 years; his sons, Matthew (Deborah) and Brian (Mary Ellen) Brooks; his grandchildren, Bella, Beau, Samson and Delia Brooks; and his brothers, Allan (Barbara) and Christopher (Zina) Brooks.

Steve was a longtime member of Salem United Methodist Church in St. Louis and Journey Christian Church in Orlando, Fla. A celebration of his remarkable life is expected later this spring.

Steve Brooks was a husband and father first, but also a leader, a mentor, a role model and a friend to many and he will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you please consider contributing to a Christian ministry or a charitable organization of your choice.