Merle Gordon Brooks, born Aug. 25, 1945, passed away March 16, 2017 in the home he shared with his beloved wife, Becky, in Queen Creek, Ariz.
Merle was born in Mulberry, Ark. but spent most of his childhood in the Globe and Miami areas in eastern Arizona, where his father worked in the copper mines during the 1950s and 60s. He served in the US Army, 82nd Airborne from August 1964 to August 1967.
Afterward, he supported his family as a union journeyman carpenter for more than 30 years. Merle was a lover of nature and enjoyed long road trips and traveling throughout the US in one of his many classic cars and trucks.
He was a hard worker, always putting his family ahead of himself, and was known by family and friends as generous and fun loving. He loved to tell jokes and was always recounting stories from his many adventures.
His passing is preceded by his mother, Norma Lea, and father, Gordon Roscoe Brooks. He is survived by his children, Keith Nolan Brooks, Merle Jason Brooks and Amy Suzanne Brooks; his two granddaughters, Clara Leanne Antonetti and Elise Madeleine Antonetti; his siblings, Jesse Brooks, Barbara Ann Collins, and Janie Tarkington; as well as many other family members and friends. He will be missed dearly.
