Brooks, John Edward "Jack" 1923-2011

BROOKS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/12/2018 at 11:06:38

John Edward "Jack" Brooks
1923 - 2011
West Des Moines

John Edward "Jack" Brooks of West Des Moines died Friday morning at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. He was 87 years old. The son of Robert Hugh and Vera Elizabeth Brooks, he ran the dairy farm on which he was born until 1953, when he became an independent insurance agent. His understanding of farm life and affinity for the men and women who lived it helped him become one of the most successful agents in the history of Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company. He loved his work and the people it benefitted: his wife of 68 years, Betty Jo Brooks; his son, Dean Brooks; and his two grandsons, Dan and Mike Brooks. Their affection and the opportunity to continue the rhythms of the farm—rising at dawn to shovel a walk or mow a lawn, his own or another's—were the great satisfactions of his retirement. He considered work a blessing and himself a blessed man, and he shared his gratitude freely.

Jack was a member of the West Des Moines United Methodist Church. He said often that his family was the greatest legacy a man could leave, and he will be dearly missed. A visitation will be held at McLaren's Funeral Chapel on Monday, May 9, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., with a private service for family members to follow. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Mercy Hospice of Johnston. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register Sun 08 May 2011.