Glenn M. Brooks

Glenn Marcus Brooks, 92, of DeSoto went to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 23, 2010 in Dallas. He is survived by his children Gayla Brooks Kokel and husband Jim of Lancaster; Chris D. Brooks and wife Jerri of Dallas; Claudia Brooks Wilkins and husband Gary of San Antonio; and great-niece Gina Brooks of Gilbert, AZ. Also surviving him are twelve grandchildren, among them Betsy Kokel Baldwin and husband Jason of Mesquite; Jordan Kokel and wife Cathy of Grand Prairie; Gavin Kokel of Oklahoma City; and Logan Brooks and Christian Brooks of Dallas. Among his seven great-grandchildren is Easton Baldwin of Mesquite. Also included are “adopted” children and grandchildren Susan and Gerald Jones and Julie Jones Wellendorf of Euless; and Shannah and Lori Miears of Ft. Worth. He was preceded in death by his wife Daisy Louise Mims Brooks; parents George Dallas Marcus Brooks and Beulah Lucille Cayton Brooks Nyiri; and brother George Paulford Brooks. Born in Eagle Ford, TX (Dallas) on July 25, 1918, Glenn attended grade school in Oak Cliff, graduating from Sunset High School in January 1937 where he was the was an all-city quarterback, sang in the glee club, and performed the lead role in his senior play. He attended North Texas Teacher’s College (UNT) on a football scholarship and pledged the Geezle fraternity, before returning to Dallas and working in the insurance industry. Already a member of the US Naval Reserve’s Intelligence Service, Glenn was among the first responders after the events of Dec. 7, 1941. He served stateside for two years, before finishing the last two years of World War II in the South Pacific, attached to the 1st Marine Division. Honorably discharged in 1945, he returned to Dallas and married his sweetheart-since-age-14, Louise. Except for brief time in Wills Point, Texas, they lived in Oak Cliff and Southwest Dallas County for the remainder of their years together. Rejoining the insurance business, Glenn quickly became a successful member of the industry, working initially for Travelers Insurance and then Southland Life. At Southland he rose to the position of Vice President of Agencies, but then returned to management to head the company’s Dallas agency where he was named national manager of the year. After retiring from Southland, he rejoined the workforce serving as ombudsman for United Fidelity Insurance Company in Dallas. Retiring again, he only relaxed for a short while before being drafted by American Exchange Life. Then he served Great Midwest as their director of marketing, finally retiring in 1998. He was a member of Toastmaster’s International and was named to “Who’s Who in American Business,” and was a charter member of the Cavaliers Club. Glenn played golf all during his adult years, many times refurbishing used golf clubs and then donating them to local orphanages. He also enjoyed his Sunday school class at Hampton Road Baptist Church and was a loyal and long-time fan of his grandchildren’s sports activities. Known to his children’s and grandchildren’s friends as simply, “Grandad,” he was always there to help, support, mentor, and encourage. A loving and devoted son, grandson, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, neighbor, friend, and Christian, he will forever live in the hearts of his family and in the hearts of those he served and loved. Glenn willed his body to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, January 15, 11:00 AM, at Hampton Road Baptist Church, with family visitation an hour prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers are Tom McAfee, Dick Sechrist, Brian Smart, Gerald Jones, Mark Smythe, Cecil Smith, Bill Lay, and Paul Carpenter. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hampton Road Baptist Church Building Fund, 400 N. Hampton Rd., DeSoto, TX 75115 or to the charity of your choice.