Leroy W. Brooks

Leroy W. “Babe” Brooks died peacefully at his home in Sherwood, MD, on Friday, May 19, 2017. He was 99. Born October 27, 1917, in Washington DC, he was the son of the late Leroy S. and Grace Barber Brooks. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Washington, DC and attended St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, and George Washington University in Washington, DC. On October 22, 1941, he married Alice Jane Gove in Montgomery, AL. Mr. Brooks enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January, 1941, where he completed Flight Training School in Tuscaloosa, AL. Subsequently he became an Aviation Instructor and flew a variety of fixed-wing aircraft, including gliders, B-25’s, B-17’s and B-29’s. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Major in 1946. Mr. Brooks enjoyed a varied career. He was a charter boat captain, sport fishing out of Deale, MD, on his boat, the “Candace Jane.” He worked in the construction industry as a building superintendent and as an estimator for commercial painting and decorating. In 1959, he established the Brooks Painting Company and later, Southern Maryland Decorators. Both companies served the greater Washington, DC, area. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks made their home in Deale, MD, for 41 years before moving to Duns Cove Farm in Sherwood in 1987. Babe (or Mr. Brooks) was an avid outdoorsman. As a young man, he and his brother sailed their boat “Lucky Strike” competitively. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and also bowled. Baseball was his passion having played throughout college and later years on various league teams. Mr. Brooks is survived by his daughter, Billie Jane Marton and her husband, Warren of St. Michaels; three grandchildren, Russ Marton (Raelani) of Houston, TX, Julia Teti (Nick) of Queenstown, MD, and Laura Gourley (Tony) of Chester, MD; six great-grandchildren, and his beloved lab, Rocky. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jane, and a brother, Harold L. Brooks. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Duns Cove Farm at 4:00 PM, where the family will entertain stories of this kind gentleman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601.

Leroy W. Brooks

October 27, 1917 - May 19, 2017