Marion Gene Brooks, son of Frank Hobart Brooks and Minnie Leola Kesler Brooks, was born on October 14, 1928, on the family’s Gove County farm in the new house his father was building. He passed away on September 22, 2024, at the age of 95.
He graduated from Sunshine Grade School in rural Gove County, where he would walk three miles home from school with neighboring children when the weather was warm. Afterward, he began learning about farming. Later, he met Joyce Julianna Hammond while roller skating in WaKeeney. While dating, he learned that her birthday was October 13, one day before his, so they agreed to be married on October 15, 1950, at the Methodist Church in WaKeeney.
This union was blessed with four children: Gale Eugene, Charles (Chuck) Leon, Mark Franklin, and Rita Joyce.
As a teenager, Marion gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized. As a member of the Dunkard Brethren Church, he served as a deacon, Sunday School superintendent, Sunday School teacher, and treasurer.
Marion enjoyed farming, painting, and constructing houses. He also worked for Midwest Products, Flex King Industries, and Quinstar for 29 years, and subsequently at the Swift Bullet Co. In his later years, he kept busy in his home shop, making various wooden gifts for family and friends.
Marion enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball and volleyball. He and Joyce traveled the world, visiting 35 countries. They especially appreciated river cruises and trips to the Holy Land. During retirement, they became "Winter Texans" in McAllen, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Eunice; sister, Leona Reed; and brother, Merlin Brooks.
He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce, and their children: Gale (Sherry), Chuck (Denise), Mark, and Rita (Mark Avila). His 13 grandchildren are Neysa (Steve Hodes), Rochelle (Jared Comfort), Taylor Brooks (Bonnie), Tauni (Nate Seyer), Melissa Whitaker, Melinda (Daniel Shinault), Bryon (Jessica Brooks), Bradley Brooks, Kristal (Garrett Werth), Jessica (Eric Jacques), Morgan (Mike Lawson), Andrew (Aaron Avila), and Matthew Avila.
His 32 great-grandchildren, who lovingly called him “GGPa,” are Stevie, Peyton, Hudson, Kensington, Ocean, Indigo, Sapphire, Symphony, Midnight, Navy, Owen, Delaney, Avery, Makenna, Hannah, Caleb, Jaydon, Clara, Lexie, Kennedy, Sydney, Colt, Jordan, Bekah, Logan, Emery, Addilyn, Cooper, Colby, Evan, Cyrus, and Isla. He is also survived by brothers-in-law Paul (Terry Hammond) and Bill Reed, sister-in-law Janis Milwee, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home, located at 901 South Main St., Quinter, KS, on Friday, October 4, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A funeral service will take place at Church of the Brethren, located at 700 Grant St., Quinter, KS, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with interment immediately following at Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Quinter Senior Citizens Center. Donations can be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home at 901 South Main, Quinter, Kansas, 67752. Marion's legacy of love and kindness will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.