Dale Brooks

Dale Irwin Brooks, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Plano, Texas on August 17, 2023. Dale was born on April 2, 1944, in Norman, Oklahoma and raised by his parents Charles Edward and Ruth Marjorie Brooks. He graduated from Powell High School in Powell, Wyoming in 1962. After high school, he enlisted and proudly served in the US Navy during Vietnam as an aviation machinist and aircraft mechanic for four years.  He later earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of North Texas.

After he left the Navy, Dale lived on Kwajalein Island in the South Pacific Ocean, where he met the love of his life, Donna Marie. They were married in July of 1974, and spent and enjoyed 50 years together raising their three children — Michael, Doug, and Jennie — in Plano, Texas. He had a successful career as a computer analyst early in life and later in life became NVP of sales for a national company where he was a great leader, who inspired many people across the country until he retired in 2010.  Dale and Donna spent many years following his retirement traveling across the globe with his friends and family. His most special memories involved spending time with his eight grandchildren and attending their sports events and activities.

Dale was the ultimate entertainer. He was a talented singer, he loved to dance, and he was quite the comedian.  From 2003-2009 he was a member of the locally famous The Vocal Majority men’s chorus where he received a gold medal in competition. Dale was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with friends whenever he had spare time.

Dale was a positive influence on everyone he met.  No one was a stranger.  His smile and charm were infectious.  He had a gift of making everyone he came in contact with feel comfortable.  Dale was also a great mentor in business and in life, whether it was helping one of his business associates, speak in front of a crowd or teaching one of his sons how to iron a shirt.

The two most important things to Dale were his family and his faith in God.  He was a devout Christian his whole life and joined the Catholic Church in 2014.   At St. Jude, he was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, he was a lector, and was very involved in many programs at the church. He is now welcomed by his Lord and Savior in Heaven.

Dale is survived by his loving wife Donna Brooks; children Michael Brooks and his wife Debbie, Doug Brooks and his wife Myla and Jennie Shankle; grandchildren Trevor, Tyler and Tanner Brooks, Kyle Brooks and Alex Tudelo, Megan, Austin and Carson Shankle; siblings Judi Finnell, Barbara Carlson and Glenn Finnell; cousins Pat Hurley, Kathy Hurley, Ruth Ann Galiher and Leo Minor.  He was preceded in death by his parents Ed and Ruth Brooks.

There will be a mass Friday, September 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas 75002.  If you wish to join the mass via webcast, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/stjudesacraments ; or if you wish to view on TV, you may do so by downloading the Facebook Watch TV App or casting the stream to your TV.

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There will be a reception to follow the service.