Al Brooks

Al passed away suddenly on Monday January 6, 2014 at Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. He was 83. He was born October 1, 1930 the son of Al and Genevieve Brooks in Rapid City, South Dakota. He attended schools in Michigan and Iowa. After graduating from high school in Coon Rapids, Iowa he enlisted in the US Army and was sent to Korea where he was with a forward observer squad when the Chinese swarmed into North Korea and was captured and held prisoner as a POW from November 1950 to August 1953 in Camp #5. There is where he learned the true meaning of survival and helping his fellow POW's to survive. He always looked forward to the annual reunion with his fellow POW survivors. After returning home he was united in marriage to Patricia Jones Feb 8, 1955 in Iowa making that their home until moving to Albert Lea, MN in 1959. Al worked at the Albert Lea Tribune from 1959 until1972 when he started his own business Brooks Safety Equipment until his retirement in 1993 when his son Al (Minnow) took over the business. Al and Pat enjoyed 15 years of traveling and spending the winters in California and Arizona. Al was a life member of the VFW,
Ex-Prisoners of War, and a member of the American Legion. He also served on the VFW Honor Guard. He loved all sports, he played fast pitch softball and was inducted into the Freeborn County Softball Hall of Fame. He also was a bowler and golfer. In addition to participating in sports he enjoyed watching his grandsons play hockey as well as following Albert Lea sports and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Patricia Brooks, two sons Al (Brenda) of Albert Lea, Robert (Diann) of Eagle Lake, MN; 5 grandchildren Al Brooks II (Mandy) of Albert Lea, Tami ( Brandon) Schaefer of Austin, Matt Brooks of Albert Lea, Cory Brooks of Garden City, and Kimberly Brooks of Belle Plaine MN , 6 great-grandchildren Mariah, Lucas, Nolan, Koby, Brezlyn and Isabel. Sisters Beverly (Jim) Braden of Dubuque, IA and Shirley (Cleo) Weeks of Des Moines, IA; brother-in-law, Don Hofbauer of Rochester MN, sister-in-law, Lois Bowman of Coon Rapids, IA , brother-in-law Robert Jones of Escondido, CA, 1 step-brother and 4 step-sisters all living in California; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Don Brooks and sister's Sally Hofbauer and Glenda Motzinger, mother and father in laws, and many brothers and sisters- in-laws. He loved his family dearly and will never be forgotten.
He was well known and loved by many, many friends everywhere he went. Al was very patriotic and surely is still saying "God Bless the USA" in Heaven. He will be greatly missed by his family, relatives and many friends.