David Kress Brooks

l948 - 2022

David Kress Brooks passed away Friday, August 26, 2022, at the Monroe City Manor Care Center in Monroe City, Missouri, after a long illness. David was born March 14, l948, in Midland, Texas. He was the son of the late Richard S. Brooks and Annie May Kress Brooks. He grew up in Midland where his father was an attorney and his mother was a homemaker. He attended Midland public schools and graduated from Midland High School in 1966. He received his higher education at the University of Texas at Austin where he earned the B.A. degree in economics in 1969 and the J.D. degree in law in 1973. The law degree was conferred on him with Highest Honors. While in law school, he served on the Texas Law Review. After finishing his undergraduate work in the spring of 1969 and before enrolling in law school in the fall of 1970, he served on active duty with the United States Army at Fort Ord, California. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in preparation for service in the Army Reserve. He did additional training with a reserve unit in Midland, Texas. His first professional employment was as law clerk to Justice Joe Greenhill of the Texas Supreme Court in Austin. In 1974, he returned to Midland and was employed as an associate in the law firm of Stubbeman, Mac Rae, and Sealy. David moved to Dallas in 1978, where he was an associate in the firms of Geary, Stahl, and Spenser and Aiken-Gump. He also served as Judge of the l9lst District Court. In 1999, he moved to Durango, Colorado, where he became an associate in the firm of Dugan and Rasure, working primarily in the field of oil and gas. He moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2001. He was employed there as Assistant General Counsel in the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division. From 1995 through his first year in retirement, David served part-time as managing partner of Brooks Oil and Gas Interests, Ltd, a family partnership which, as a non- operating interest owner, had investments in oil and gas properties in several states. David was a member of the Episcopal Church and the Rotary Club. In Santa Fe, he was particularly active in the Rotary Club. He was faithful about attending meetings and he made many friends there. While in Santa Fe, David was very active in charity work with the Episcopal Charities, the Rotary Charities, and the Coming Connections, a charity dedicated to helping the elderly, particularly those suffering from terminal illnesses. David retired from the Oil Conservation Division on July 31, 2019. He lived briefly in Henderson, Nevada, and Hannibal, Missouri, before ill health made it necessary for him to take up residence in the Monroe City Manor Care Center. David had many interests. In his younger years, he earned a pilot's license and flew his own plane. He was an avid reader and could quote long passages from literary texts verbatim by memory. He loved the arts of music, drama, ballet, and opera. David also loved the great outdoors and enjoyed jogging, hiking, cycling, and skiing. He traveled extensively for pleasure. David was a lifelong railroad enthusiast. He made many trips on the Amtrak system and was a member of the National Association of Timetable Collectors. David is survived by a sister, Anne Brooks Ramsey (and husband Harry) of Sedona, Arizona, and a brother, Richard Brooks of Midland, Texas. Other survivors include a nephew, Michael Ramsey (and wife Lisa) of San Diego, California, a niece Carolyn Ramsey (and husband Byron Murray) of Niwot, Colorado, and four great nephews, Chris and Colin (sons of Michael and Lisa) and Justin and Jordan (sons of Carolyn and Byron). The family wishes to express their gratitude to all who took care of David in his final illness. A graveside service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland, Texas, on Friday, October 14 at eleven A.M. with Don Mitchell of the Fairmont Park Church of Christ officiating.