Kirk William Brooks

Kirk William Brooks, age 70, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday September 21st 2024 at Aegis of Las Vegas. Born to Ken and Bitzie Brooks in Wichita, Kansas on April 3rd 1954, Kirk was the 3rd of 10 children.

In August of 1961, the Brooks family move to Denver, Colorado. As a young man, Kirk was popular in school, a competitive athlete in baseball and football, as well as a strong supporter and protector of all of his siblings. Kirk was known for his intense drive, strong desire to succeed and his generosity. Kirk was always pushing himself and willing to learn nearly anything.

As a young man, Kirk’s drive took him to all over the country training racing greyhounds. Working his way up, Kirk was the owner of his own Kennel in Wheeling, West Virginia and racing farm in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Kirk’s genuine love for the dogs and his incredible work ethic soon had his Greenwood Kennel coasting in 1st place.

After meeting his wife, Corine, in 1985, Kirk’s connections in the racing industry led him to an opportunity in Las Vegas. In 1986, Kirk started at the bottom as a “board man” in the Sahara Hotel Race and Sports Book making just $8 an hour. Kirk quickly gained a reputation as the guy that could and would do anything. His supervisors were amazed when Kirk was on the roof of the Sahara Hotel adjusting and fixing the satellite dishes.

Kirk quickly moved up the ladder to the Barbary Coast and the Sands Hotel. His reputation for hard work, excellent customer service, and innovation landed him the job of Race and Sports Book Director at the Marina Hotel for a brief stint before he was hired away by the Imperial Palace (IP) as Race and Sports Book Director. Overseeing a complete remodel of the Race and Sports Book, Kirk flourished at the IP. He was the first director to put individual TVs at every seat that is now the standard for all sports books today. He was the first to implement a drive through window, “Krazy Kirks Million Dollar Parlay Card,” and the legendary Superbowl Props that have now become standard everywhere.

After his success at the IP, Kirk received a generous offer to direct the Race and Sports Book at the not-so-glorious Boardwalk Hotel and Casino. Despite the protestations of his industry friends, Kirk embraced the challenge and soon the Boardwalk Race and Sports Book was #1 in Las Vegas and a profit leader for the Boardwalk.

Throughout this time, Kirk always wanted to return to a business of his own. Kirk and his wife, Corine, cleaned carpets, installed water softeners and dabbled in landscaping projects—all while working 60-70 hours. Kirk was literally willing to take on any challenge. While these ventures were somewhat successful, Kirk’s true passion was innovation in Race Wagering. Kirk had a vision for account wagering long before anyone thought it was possible. He researched relentlessly, stayed up late, talked to regulators, and drove Corine crazy. Everyone told him it either wasn’t legal, wasn’t feasible, or just wasn’t a good idea. Kirk knew they were all wrong.

Without a large bankroll to start the project, Kirk needed a low-cost way to get his idea off the ground. His undying effort finally landed him on the Island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. St Kitts was somewhat unique compared to other Caribbean Islands. Despite being relatively unknown, St Kitts had great phone services, reliable banking, and a well-educated English speaking work force. In 1997, Kirk founded Racing and Gaming Services (RGS) and became the first legal telephone racebook serving the United States. Kirk and Corine worked nonstop on this business on top of their regular jobs. RGS grew faster than anyone could have imagined employing over 30 people by 2003. Kirk’s innovation changed the industry and now account wagering is flourishing throughout the world.

Kirk also took a great interest as a father in the development of his younger children, Kenny (1991) and Brittney (1993). Kenny attended a skating party at the Crystal Place and saw some kids playing hockey. He told his father, “If you let me play that I will never ask for anything again.” Both Kenny and Brittney began hockey here in Las Vegas. In 2003, the city had a very small hockey community. Rinks were closing and the last one was in financial trouble and set to close. After a poorly advised loan to the existing owner was not enough, Kirk took over and saved the last sheet of ice in Las Vegas. In April of 2004, Kirk acquired the lease for the rest of what is now the Las Vegas Ice Center. He made a deal for 25% of the building and invested $4 million building proper lockers rooms and constructing the north rink, rescuing youth hockey in Las Vegas. Despite the rink losing money for over a decade, Kirk continued to support youth hockey.

In 2009, Kirk acquired the Tri-City Storm (USHL) and the Viaero Event Center, a 5,000 seat Hockey Arena in Kearney, Nebraska. Kirk envisioned a path for hockey players from mite to college and earned the Storm a reputation as a top organization in the USHL for players, employees, and fans. Starting with the worst team in the USHL, Kirk built a winner in a few short years and led the Storm to the Clark Cup in 2016 and the Anderson Cup in 2019.

Even after Kenny and Brittney left for college, Kirk’s dedication to Las Vegas Youth Hockey has never wavered. Now, 20 years later, with all his children involved, his legacy is strong and will continue well into the future.

Kirk is survived by parents Kenneth Brooks and Bitzie Brooks; his spouse Corine Brooks; his children Keith Brooks (Michelle) , Kirsten Heffernan, Kenny Brooks, and Brittney Brooks; grandchildren Justin, Payton, Lily and Callie Brooks; and his siblings CA Brooks, Jaqueline Brooks-Lawrence (Jerry), Rebecca Brooks, Suzanne Toney (David), Lewis Brooks (Maria), John Brooks (Karen), and Joline Brooks. He is predeceased by siblings James Brooks and Kitty Shibao. Kirk is further survived by his in laws Gary Yoho (Georgeanne Yoho), Dennis Yoho, Marsha Porter (Harry), Cliff Baker (Lori) and David Shibao. Kirk is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

A visitation for Kirk will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm Mortuary - Cheyenne, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Kirk's memory may be made to KIRK BROOKS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, Las Vegas, Nevada US, see the link below..