Benjamin A. Brooks Sr.'s Obituary
Our beloved Benjamin A. Brooks, Sr., LTC US Army Medical Service Corps, Retired, of Gainesville, Florida passed away Monday, September 22, 2014, at age 85 at the Lake City VA Medical Center Hospice Unit “Serenity Place” after being transferred from the “Old Glory Place” Care Unit. Ben was born August 12, 1929, to Frank and Eva Johnson Brooks in Arlington, Iowa.
Ben grew up the youngest of a large Iowa farm family during the Depression. His father died when he was very young and life was hard as his mother struggled to keep the family fed. The soft heart and generous spirit that Ben shared with so many in his later life were shaped during this time, when he felt he always needed to earn his place.
Ben joined the Army in 1947, in the echo of WWII; it was a chance to educate him and the G.I. Bill seemed like an opportunity for him to lift himself out of poverty. He only intended to do only one tour and get out, which he did…until he was recalled during the beginning of the Korean Conflict. The Army eventually became his career and the young enlisted soldier was later able to become a middle-aged Artillery Officer. After a severe leg injury that nearly resulted in an amputation, he spent a year rehabilitating in an Army hospital and came to appreciate the importance of well-run hospitals. He earned a spot at Baylor University with the Army Medical Service Corps where he earned a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration and graduated in 1968. For the next six years, Ben served as a Personnel Staff Officer and Hospital Administrator, in domestic and foreign tours, until he retired from the Army at the rank of Lt. Colonel, on August 31, 1974. He began his civilian career with the State of Florida as a hospital CEO and Florida Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. He was well respected within his field as a firm but fair boss, and was quite popular due to his smiling face, caring demeanor, and uncanny ability to remember names of people he’d only met once. “Gentle Ben” was beloved by his coworkers, his church, his neighbors, and his friends for his charisma and genuine interest in others. He served community fund raisers and agencies like United Way, always eager to help out wherever he was needed. On his 79th birthday, Ben’s family had a celebration with more than 100 people in attendance. He was such a popular customer at Publix in The Villages, Florida, that his friends in the bakery department, produce department, deli, and cashiers got together to donate a huge birthday cake for the party!
Ben is survived by his wife, Peggy J. Davenport-Brooks and his four sons, Ben Brooks, Jr., David Brooks, Aaron Brooks, and Gabriel Brooks and their spouses, and seven grandchildren, Katy Brooks, Christopher Brooks, Austin Brooks, Jenna Brooks, Jordan Brooks, Sebastian Brooks, and Sophia Brooks. He was preceded in death by son Kenneth Brooks in 1998 and Grandson Stuart Brooks in 2012. He is also survived by Peggy’s three children, Debra Shaw, Denise Boothby, and David Davenport and their spouses and her four grandchildren, Danielle Shaw, Brandon Boothby, Buck Shaw and Baylee Boothby. Ben was very proud of his children, grandchildren and step-grandchildren, who nicknamed his “Benpa,” a title he wore proudly.
Ben has a very large extended family with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and cousins who adore their Uncle Ben. Ben was a good communicator on a personal basis with each. He followed all his family with great pride and he held the honor of being the last living family member in his generation. All of his siblings predeceased him.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 11:30 A.M. in Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102ndAvenue, Bushnell, FL with military honors. Arrangements are under the care of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake City, FL VAMC, Hospice Unit., 619 S Marion Avenue, Lake City, FL 32025-5808. Make payable to Voluntary Services, Lake City VAMC Serenity Place. In the memo write In Memory of LTC Ben Brooks for Hospice.
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