Jerry D. Brooks

Jerry Dean Brooks died on February 14, 2020 at his home in Las Animas, Colorado from complications from heart and lung failure. A graveside service will take place on Friday, February 21 at 11:00am at the Las Animas-Bent County Cemetery followed by a celebration of Jerry’s life at the John Rawlings Museum Grand Hall.

A celebration of life reception will also happen on Sunday, March 1 from 2pm – 5pm at Howe Mortuary at 439 Coffman St. in Longmont.

Jerry grew up in Las Animas surrounded by family --- an older brother, Joseph E. Brooks, Jr,. two grandmothers, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Bent County High School in 1956 and joined the United States Marine Corps that summer. In 1960, he married Carole Hayter and they divorced in 1974. He graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in History in 1962. In 1963, he started teaching and coaching at Frederick Junior High School and in 1964 earned an MA in History from CSU. He taught history and coached baseball and basketball at several schools, including Longmont High School, Erie High School, Niwot High School and Northeast Junior High School. In 1969, he was elected by students at Longmont High School as Teacher of the Year, and earned that award again at Niwot High School in 1979. He married Valerie Uilk in 1979 and they divorced in 1983. He bought the Raymond Store and Cabins in 1981, and spent the summers working at the Store, visiting with customers and travelers until 2018. Jerry was a prolific writer, and he kept a daily journal, published Aphorically Speaking (selected thoughts taken from his journal) for several years, and published two books: San Pedro (a novel), and The Bee Way (a collection of his writing). He always encouraged students, colleagues, friends and family to write daily. He was concerned about the state of the world, and wanted to engage anyone he met to actively discuss issues concerning it. He challenged people to think about human connections and loved thought-provoking conversation.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Edward Brooks, Sr., his mother, Florence Evelyn (Whipple) Brooks, and his son, Matthew Simon Brooks-Uilk, and sister-in-law, Betty (Holt) Brooks. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Joyce Brooks (Hatfield), his brother, Joseph Edward Brooks, Jr., many cousins.and his children: Jeffrey Brooks (Sylvia), Andrew Brooks (Mindy), Daniel Brooks, Summer Dallman (Josh), Rachel Brooks (Andy Collins). His twelve grandchildren are: Jenna Deubler (Mark), Danielle & Mason Brooks, Marcy Cox (Gary), Molly Swires (Josh), Anna Brooks, and Taylor Brooks, Chloe and Lucas Dallman, Orie, Hadley, and Amos Brooks-Collins. His six great-grandchildren are Mya, Maria, Eleanor, Simon, Zebadiah and Magnolia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Arkansas Valley Hospice in care of Horber Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 431, Las Animas, Colorado, 81054.