Gerald 'Tom' Brooks

Oakwood- Gerald Tom Thomas Brooks, 87, of Oakwood passed away at 4:05 AM on Wednesday August 11, 2010 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born on April 5, 1923 in Westville, IL to Lonnie and Mabel Hensley Brooks. He married Laura Baker in 1945 and later married Alice Isbell in 1967. Surviving are 2 sons G. Douglas Brooks of Long Beach, CA and Cory (Liz) Brooks of Williamsport, IN; 2 daughters Connie (Ben) Scarborough of Centralia, IL and Kayla (Sean) OKane of Oakwood, IL; 3 grandchildren Dena Brooks of Long Beach, CA, Tyler Brooks of KY, and Madeline Brooks of IN; 3 step-grandchildren Tammy, Penni, and Jeff; and great-granddaughter Jazmyn Harris of Long Beach, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents and longtime friend, Caroll Neff. Tom served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the Army during WWII. He fought in Europe from 1943 through 1945 and received 3 bronze service stars. After his service Tom earned his bachelors degree in 1950 from the University of Illinois. He then taught High School business courses at several schools including Bismarck, Patoka, and Danville where he retired. Tom was also a 32nd Degree Mason and loved fishing, mushroom hunting, watching the Cubs, and BINGO. A graveside memorial service for Gerald Tom Brooks will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at Danville National Cemetery in Danville. The family will receive friends and family from 10-11 AM at the Protestant Chapel at the Danville Veterans Affairs Medical Center prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VA Medical Center. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.