Ronald Otto Brooks

Ronald Otto Brooks, 92, of Lake City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at the Haven Hospice - Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City, following a extended illness. He was born in Alachua County on July 27, 1933 to the late Lester and Jessie Terrell Brooks. He has made Lake City and the North Florida area his home most of his life was a member of the Gateway Baptist Church and served in the Florida National Guard for over 20 years. He worked for a little over 20 years with the AREO Corporation, 14 years with the Florida Department of Corrections, Doctor's Lab for 15 years and a Mosquito Sprayer for Columbia County for a little over 15 years before retiring. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, being outdoors, automobile racing (NASCAR and Dirt Racing), cheering on the Florida Gators and loved going to Hardee's to eat breakfast with the "Hardee's Gang". He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Mattie Lee Weeks Brooks; brothers, Eugene "Gene" Brooks and Murray Henry; and his sister, Ruth Brooks Phelps.
He is survived by his children, Terry Brooks (Linda), Alan Brooks (Becki) and Tina Jenkins all of Lake City; grandchildren, Ronnie, Jessica, Holly, Ryan, Brad, and Eric; great-grandchildren, Lilly, Abi, Landon, Logan, Mattilyn, Ashtyn, Elijah, Micah, Fiona, Bryson, Elijah and Aydan; and his great-great-grandchildren, Emma, Ellie, Enslee, Amaia, Marlow, Abraham, Abrielle & Aliyah also survive.
A funeral service for Mr. Brooks will be conducted on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel with Pastor Steve Thompson officiating, assisted by Pastor Drue Thompson. Interment will follow in the Philippi Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation beginning at 2:00 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be considered to Haven Hospice, 6037 W. US HWY 90, Lake City, FL, 32055. Arrangements are under the direction and care of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S. US HWY 441, Lake City, FL, 32025, 386-752-1954. Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com.