William Dexter Brooks

William Dexter Brooks, age 82, of Marietta, Georgia died peacefully in his sleep on April 26, 2023. Dexter was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, and a well-known and respected attorney. He married his wife, Robin, in 1983 and between them they had three sons, six grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Dexter was born on November 23, 1940, in Augusta, Georgia to James Dexter Brooks and Lucille Mann Brooks who preceded him in death. Dexter was a 1958 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County in Augusta, GA. Throughout his life, Dexter was a fierce competitor. During his formative years at Richmond Academy, Dexter was an integral part of several State Champion teams, in baseball and basketball. Ultimately, whether on the softball fields of Grant Park or the golf links of Highland Falls, that desire to compete never left him. Dexter was inducted into the Academy of Richmond County Hall of Fame as part of the 2020-2021 Class.

He then matriculated to Auburn University where, after participating in the co-op program with Georgia Power Company, he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in electrical engineering in 1963. While at Auburn, Dexter was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and the Auburn University Letterman’s Club (baseball 1959-1963).

After graduating from Auburn, Dexter accepted a job with Martin-Marietta Company in Orlando, Florida working on the Pershing Missile System before moving to Washington, D.C. to work in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1964. While working as a Supervisory Patent Examiner, Dexter attended the University of Maryland Law School at night, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1969, Magna Cum Laude.

Dexter then relocated his family to Atlanta, Georgia in 1970 and began his 33-year career at The Coca- Cola Company. Dexter started as a Patent Attorney before being promoted to Senior Patent Counsel (1980), then Senior Intellectual Property Counsel (1991), then Senior Staff Counsel (1994), and ultimately Assistant General Counsel (1999). Starting in 1995, he also served as Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and General Counsel for various Coca-Cola subsidiaries. Throughout his career at Coke, Dexter was responsible for the worldwide legal protection and licensing of the Company’s intellectual property. He spent over 30 years protecting the trade secrets of The Coca-Cola Company as well as the confidential ingredients of its beverages and brands. At the time of his retirement, Dexter was managing all worldwide corporate legal staff groups of the Company including antitrust, litigation, securities and corporate law, intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets), food law, environmental law, Human Resources and labor law, licensing, marketing and advertising law, and real estate and legal administration.

Professionally, Dexter was a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Maryland Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Corporate Counsel Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, Atlanta Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Association (Board of Directors, President, Treasurer), Intellectual Property Owners Association (Board of Directors), and Licensing Executive Society (Trustee and Delegate).

In 1993, Dexter and Robin joined Highlands Falls Country Club in Highlands, North Carolina where they remained members until 2018. During their 25-year membership at the club, Dexter served on many boards and committees including the Membership/Bylaws Committee, the Finance Committee, The Board of Directors, and ultimately as President of the club. Dexter also was an avid golfer and thrived on the competition of playing in various tournaments, including competing in the annual Member-Guest Tournament (and winning twice) with his sons, Stephen and Todd.

Dexter was a lifelong Auburn football fan. On fall weekends, he and Robin could be found cheering on the Tigers as scholarship donors at Jordan-Hare Stadium or traveling to road games to see the Tigers play. He was most excited to be in attendance with Robin at the National Championship game in Arizona in 2011 to celebrate Auburn winning their second National Championship.

In addition, Dexter loved to travel. Whether traveling to different countries on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company and his professional associations, or simply exploring the farthest reaches of the planet with his wife Robin, Dexter was passionate about seeing new places and learning about different cultures. When not traveling, Dexter and Robin enjoyed spending time playing golf at their mountain home in Highlands, North Carolina, and relaxing at their home on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Dexter was a longstanding member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta and especially loved the sermons given by Bryant Wright.

In addition to his parents, Dexter was preceded in death by his son Stephen Mann Brooks (Marla-Deen). He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 40 years Robin Lynn Brooks, his son Todd Christian Brooks (Avery), his daughter-in-law Marla-Deen Brooks, his stepson Michael Scott McCormick, his grandchildren Kathleen Brooks Katz (Buddy), William Deen Brooks, Lucy Manning Brooks, Stephen Smith Brooks, John Thomas Brooks, and Rebekah Christian Brooks, as well as his great granddaughter Secelia Anne Katz, and countless other friends and acquaintances.

Dexter will be remembered for his dedication to and love of his family. While his happiest and proudest moments often involved celebrating the successes and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, he also relished the opportunities to just visit and spend time with his family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, May 16 at 11:00 in the chapel of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta. The family will receive guests following the service during a reception in the Magnolia Room of the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donating to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.