Richard "Jr." (Dick) Brooks

Richard Allen "Dick" Brooks, Jr., 68, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 13, 2013, at his home. He was under the care of his loving family and Hearts for Hospice. Dick was born July 20, 1945, in New London, Connecticut, to Richard Allen Brooks, Sr. and Leona Audry Renaldi Brooks. He spent his early years in Connecticut, then moved to Idaho Falls with his family. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School. On July 27, 1963, he married JoAnne Nelson in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple July 25, 1970. They were blessed with four children, Todd, Tory, Tyler, and Tina. Dick and JoAnne made their home in Idaho Falls, where Dick was a night watchman at White Elephant Supper Club, worked at Bluebell Gas Station, as a truck driver, school bus driver, and Postal Clerk. He and JoAnne operated Brooks Trophy Cottage for 30 years. He liked to work the night shift at the Post Office so he could have another job in the daytime. Most importantly, so he had time to be a dad and coach his sons. Dick joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1965. He served as Sunday School President and teacher. He coached church youth sports for 32 years. His passion since before he could drive was hot rods as old as 1912. In 1992 he was named “Master Builder” by the Boise Autorama. Many of his cars were featured in national magazines. One of his favorites, a 1934 Ford, was made into a die-cast replica by “Mattel.” At the time of his death he had six cars finished or as works in progress. Dick loved sports and coached youth for 42 years, in baseball, football, and basketball. Recently he had the honor of coaching the 2012 State Gold Medal Special Olympics Basketball Team. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, JoAnne Brooks of Idaho Falls, ID; Children, Todd (Deridee) Brooks of Idaho Falls, ID, Tory (Natalie) Brooks of Lehi, UT, Tyler (Amy) Brooks of Idaho Falls, ID, and Tina (Redge) Sorenson of Idaho Falls, ID, Sisters, Sharon (Harry) Miller of Great Falls, MT, Kimberly (Dan) Dwyer of Moses Lake, WA, and Elizabeth (Richard) Holloway of Uncasville, CT; 13 grandchildren and one great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Spencer Bryson Brooks. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 18, 2013, at the Idaho Falls LDS Cedar Ridge Ward, 3195 South Holmes Avenue, with Bishop James Durrant officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations to the Rigby Wranglers Special Olympics Team, c/o Paula Cutler, 3719 East 100 North, Rigby, ID 83442, or online at http://www.idso.org/PUBLIC/SOID_SHOP.CFM.

Funeral Services will be held

Monday November 18, 2013 , 11:00 a.m. at Idaho Falls LDS Cedar Ridge Ward

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.