Alton Vibert Brooks Jr.'s Obituary
Alton Vibert Brooks, Jr. was born on September 15, 1923 in Seattle, Washington and died on August 8, 2017 at the age of 93 at Hearthside Manor in University Place, Washington.
He graduated from Tacoma’s Lincoln High School in 1942 and was employed by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation before enlisting in the US Army Air Corp. After training and promotions he became a member of the “famed ‘Pioneer’ P-51 Mustang fighter-bomber group.” He flew 75 combat missions in Europe and Africa, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and three bronze stars.
Post war, Al entered the University of Puget Sound, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. After graduation, he was hired to help start a large, successful paint company in Tacoma at which he was the lead chemist for almost 40 years. In 1971 he retired from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of Major. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed several hobbies such as gardening, fly fishing, playing bridge and cooking.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Ellanor Martha Johnson Brooks; son, John Robert Brooks of Puyallup; and brother, Gordon Brooks of San Jose, California.
He is survived by his son, David Alton Brooks, and son-in-law, Raymond Davoli, both of Seattle; daughter, Carol Bernice Brooks Franko of Tacoma; sister, Janice Brooks Nugen, and brother-in-law, Retired Master Chief Ronald Nugen of Cul-de-Sac, Idaho; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
The grave side service will be held at 2:30 pm. Wednesday, August 16th at Mountain View Cemetery at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA. (253-584-0252). Guests are asked to meet in the mortuary lobby at 2:15 pm. Immediately following is a Celebration of Life reception at the nearby Lakewood Elks Lodge #2388 at 6313- 75th Ave, Lakewood, WA 98499.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington (alzwa.org) for family/caregiver support, and research.
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