Michael Brooks

1947 - 2022

Longtime Fairbanks sign painter and car enthusiast Michael Terry Brooks passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 2, 2022, at the age of 74. Although he loved his painting and community activities, his family and friends were the most important part of his life. Mike was born on Nov. 11, 1947, in Renton, Washington, as the first of six children to Raymond and Glenna Brooks. The family relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1957.

Mike's Lathrop High School art teacher, Mrs. Larson, recognized Mike's natural talent for art and worked with him to develop it. He was designing T-shirts and sweatshirts and learning to do signs with Vern Hines before graduating from high school.

He joined the National Guard and continued developing his painting skills while serving for six years. He worked at Prudhoe Bay as a painter, opened his sign shop, was a bartender at Tommy's Elbow Room, moved to Palm Springs for a little while, returned to Alaska and partnered with his sister Debbie and friend Melissa Wiest to run GlassArt, which specialized in stain glass and ceramics. After a few years, he moved outside to develop his skills further in Montrose, Colorado, and Palm Springs, California, before returning to Fairbanks to open Fairbanks Sign & Graphics, which he ran for many years. He left Alaska again for a time living in Texas and Washington. He returned to Alaska and did some limited work while mentoring Roger with Hardluck Studios Custom Signs & Graphics. Mike was recognized as a talented hand sign painter and was the last or one of the last free-hand sign painters in Fairbanks. His artwork can still be found throughout Fairbanks: Big Daddy's, The Pump House, Alaska Dog Mushers Association, Alaskaland/Pioneer Park, the Grizzly Car logo, Fairbanks Racing Lions, and Arctic Wheels.

Mike not only created signs, but he also served his community. He volunteered and served as president for several organizations, including ADMA, and was proud of being a part of the effort that named dog mushing the official sport of the State of Alaska. Mike also served on the board of the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race. Not only did he help dog mushing organizations, but he also volunteered and served on boards with car racing associations in town, including Fairbanks Racing Lions and Arctic Wheels, many of which carry logos developed during his time serving the organizations.

Besides the hundreds of signs and banners he created over the years, he was also well known for his car restoration talents and knowledge, pin-striping (by hand), airbrushing technique (flames particularly,) and last but not least, his beloved dragster - Tazilla. He loved nice cars and drag racing and made life-long friends who shared his passion.

Friends and family were important to him. He could be generous to a fault, giving beyond what he could afford but always wanting to help. He stayed in touch with his siblings and talked often with his brothers. He was truly heartbroken when his younger sister, Glenda, passed away from cancer. In recent years, he regularly met with a group of friends: Roy Wilbur, Doug Montgomery, Al & Ruth Haynes, Sue Bodenstadt, Rick & Kathy Watson, Clutch Lounesberry, Chuck Creamer, Don Karella, Chris Clark, Ken Brewer, and Ken & Acelida Sather for coffee on Saturday mornings at the Donut Shop downtown. He looked forward to their time together and deeply missed it during the pandemic. He had many lifelong friends that he had adventures with, including Gene Garwood and John Dewey. Kathy Fitzgerald became a close friend, and they spent many hours sharing stories as both had a love of Fairbanks history. More than anything, his greatest joy and pride came from his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His children all inherited some of his artistic abilities. He was incredibly proud of the accomplished artist his only daughter, Tammy, had become and told everyone when he had a chance. She was his baby girl, always and forever. He was proud of his sons as well; all three served their country in the military, became loving fathers, and have creative abilities and skills they are using to advance in their careers. He was equally proud of the people his grandkids were becoming, and he enjoyed watching the great-grandkids and all their activities.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Glenna Brooks, and his sister, Glenda Brooks. He is survived by his brothers, Roger (Marie) and Alan (Lien) Brooks, and sisters, Debbie Sather (Steve) and Roxanne Brooks; former wife, Roxy Wright (mother of Ramy and Tammy); His children Ramy Brooks (Cathy), Tammy Holland (Doug), Scott Ganatos (Priscilla), and Sean Ganatos; Grandchildren: Michael (Jess) and Nicolas (Hannah)Holland, Abigail (Lucas) Goodwin, Molly (Zachary) Frye, Wyatt Brooks, Kamela, Mckenna, and Jaxson Ganatos, Ella and Talia Ganatos; Greatgrandchildren: Greysen, Riley, and RoxyJo Holland, Clara Holland, Sophia and Bailey Goodwin.

An informal gathering of local friends and family is planned for September, with the burial and memorial service planned for next summer.

Online condolences can be made to the family at blanchardfamilyfuneralhome.com.