Gary Flynn Brooks

Obituary For Gary Flynn Brooks

Mr. Gary Flynn Brooks, 61, of Howard, OH, formerly of Phenix City, AL passed Saturday, June 17, 2023 in Cleveland, OH at the Cleveland Clinic's Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute from a severe heart condition.

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., EST Saturday, June 24, 2023 at St. Paul C.M.E Church, Crawford, AL with Rev. Dr. Raynetta Prevo-Williams, pastor, officiating. Burial to follow in church cemetery. Visitation is Friday, June 23, 2023 from 1-5 p.m. EST.

He was born and raised by his mother and father in Phenix City, AL, with his three brothers and one sister.

He was a 1980 graduate of Central High School in Phenix City, AL, where he played football and basketball. He completed three years of college at Tuskegee University, majoring in Chemistry and was awarded the “Chemistry Student of the Year” his freshman year in college. At Tuskegee, Gary met the love of his life, Terri Lynn Brooks.

On August 20, 1983 at the age of 21, Gary married Terri in Knoxville, TN. They remained married until Terri died in 2009 in a fatal car accident.

He has spent over 30 years living in Howard, Ohio. For most of his career, Gary worked as a Quality Engineer at Owens Corning, Kelsey-Hayes/TRW, and Cardington Yutaka Technologies. He was loved and cherished by many of his colleagues, who stated he was one of the kindest souls they ever met.

In the later years of his life, Gary was afflicted with kidney disease, followed by a sudden onset of blindness and other health concerns. Throughout this time he continued to have a positive outlook, and boldly proclaimed his faith in God. Gary is most infamous for his infectious laugh and his ability to entertain the masses with his banter and his humor.

His favorite pastime was listening to Alabama football radio and enjoying the simple pleasures of country life. In his later years, Gary was a community philanthropist, constantly helping other struggling individuals in their times of need. He was also very family-oriented, and stayed in constant contact with numerous family members. He loved and supported his children unconditionally and played an active role in not only fathering his own children, but advising and assisting their friends and other community members, as well. In short, Mr. Brooks was a kind, caring, wise soul that brought light into his family’s and communities’ lives. He was a Christian, an avid sports and movie enthusiast, food connoisseur, and collector.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Terri Lynn Brooks, and father, Willie Brooks, Jr.

He leaves to cherish his precious memories two loving and devoted children Jordan Adonis Brooks MPH of Miami, FL and Meridia Brooks of Knoxville, TN; loving mother, Georgia Mae Brooks of Phenix City, AL; three brothers, Wayman (Helen) Brooks of Delaware, OH, Calvin (Carolyn) Brooks of Smiths Station, AL, and Steve (Yashica) Brooks of LaGrange, GA; one sister, Sandra (Eric) Jenkins of Columbus, GA; four aunts, Ruby Lockhart, Patricia Brooks, Mary Wright and Pearlie Wright; three uncles, Arthur Wright, Roosevelt Jones, Ronnie Brooks and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.