Roger Brooks, 80
Roger Brooks, 80, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Brandon, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. His Funeral Service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, also at the funeral home. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls.
Roger was born on Jan. 23, 1943, in Scottsbluff, Neb., and grew up on ranches in both Wyoming and Nebraska. He was educated in Alliance, Neb. where he then followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy. Roger joined up in 1962 after meeting his future wife Mary at the local roller-skating rink where he worked. They married in 1966, and he had 22 years of active military service where he retired as a Senior Chief-Personnelman (E-8). During his military career, he served on four ships, served in Vietnam, and recruited until he retired. Following his military career, Roger sold insurance for Modern Woodmen of America.
He also served in the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years, Brandon City Council for eight years, and South Dakota State Legislator for eight years. Roger was a Life Member of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) since 1965, a member of the Tri-State Navy Chief Petty Officers Association, the American Legion Post 318 of Brandon, a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4726, also in Brandon, and a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 959 of Sioux Falls.
Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Mary Brooks of Sioux Falls; daughters, Michell (Michael) Williams of Sioux Falls, and Kimberly (Chuck) Graham of Rochester, N.Y.; granddaughter, Kjerstin (Cole) Hensley of Troy, Mich.; grandson, Wallace Graham (fiancé, Michaela Reilly) of San Diego, Calif.; brother, Monty (Twila) Brooks of Pueblo, Colo.; sister, Mickie (Candi) James of Columbus, Ind.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Steven Brooks and Samuel (Nancy Jo) Brooks.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
