George Frederick ‘’Fred’’ Brooks, 82, of Cedar Hill, formerly of Newport News, Va., died Nov. 16, 2020. Mr. Brooks was born Dec. 15, 1937, in Richwood, W. Va., the son of the late Hiram K. and Myrtle (Artrip) Brooks, who ran the local hardware and furniture store. He attended Greenbrier Military Academy and West Virginia University and enjoyed playing percussion in a collegiate band, driving his 1958 Austin-Healey 100-6 and helping out in the family business. He studied aeronautical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960-64. He worked as an aerospace engineer at McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis, then settled in Hampton Roads, Va.,and worked at LTV Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. until his retirement in 1999. He was a member of St. Martin’s United Church of Christ in Dittmer and a former member of First United Church of Christ in Hampton Roads. He was a 50-year Mason with the Richwood West Virginia Masonic Lodge and loved animals, particularly his little companion dog. He always put his family first, and his greatest source of pride was his family.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years: Elaine Bohle Brooks; three children: Bryan (Evelyn) Brooks of Woodbridge, Va; Matthew (Krista) Brooks of Hanover, Md., and Rebecca (Samuel) Maindonald of Exminster, U.K.; six grandchildren: Henry and Walter Brooks of Hanover, Md.; Tyler and Stella Brooks of Woodbridge, Va., and George and Woodrow Maindonald of Exminster, U.K.; as well as numerous extended family members and friends in West Virginia, Virginia and Missouri.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Martin’s United Church of Christ in Dittmer. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Martin’s United Church of Christ, 7890 Dittmer Ridge Road, Dittmer, 63023; or to Open Door Animal Sanctuary, 6065 Duda Road, House Springs, 63051. Arrangements were under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary in Cedar Hill.