Fred A. Brooks Jr.

Fred Alexander Brooks, Jr., age 83, was called to be with the Lord on Saturday, the 21st of March 2015 as he was surrounded by his family in Houston. Fred was born in Sherman, Texas on the 20th of June 1931. He graduated from Austin College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1952 and achieved a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from Texas Tech in 1954. Soon after, he married his childhood friend and true love, Betty Jane Dodson Brooks.

Following their wedding, Fred and Betty moved to Katy, Texas as he began over a 50 year career in the oil industry with Humble Oil (later Exxon Production Research Co). They ultimately settled in Houston where they built their lives and many friendships. Fred enjoyed his work and was well-respected in his field writing many papers, receiving multiple awards and recognitions, achieving patents for his inventions, and serving as the long-time Chairman of the American Petroleum Institute Committee on Oil Well Cementing.

Fred’s career provided opportunities for he and Betty to travel to various parts of the world, an activity which they continued to enjoy later in life. They also liked staying closer to home and going to their weekend farm where they enjoyed memorable gatherings with family and friends, fishing, hunting, gardening, and bird watching. Family was very important to Uncle Fred and Aunt Betty. They spent time with their nieces and nephew and celebrated many holidays and special events with Betty’s brother’s family while they reserved each Thanksgiving for their very special friends, the Cooke family.

Fred and Betty were also extremely active in the Texas Coastal Brittany Club where Fred served on the board. Fred loved working with his dogs and shooting skeet. Fred also enjoyed spending time with his hunting friends at his deer lease in the hill country.

Fred will be welcomed into heaven by his wife of 58 years, Betty, and his parents Fred A. Brooks, Sr. Myrtle Brooks, and his brother-in-law Al Dodson who preceded him in death. Fred will be dearly missed as he is survived by nephew Brody Dodson and wife, Michelle, of Flower Mound, two nieces, Mysti Dodson, of Flower Mound, and Crysti Elder and husband, Jonathan, of Highland Village, three great nieces, Meagan and Peyton Dodson, and Jessica Elder, and a sister in-law, Nickie Williams and her husband, Mansel, of Lewisville, and several cousins.

The family would also like to express a special thanks to Maribel Lazalde, the Lattin family, the Caram family, and all his neighbors for the care they gave Uncle Fred.

A funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 25th of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, where David Duncan, Pulpit Minister of Memorial Church of Christ, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

An interment service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 28th of March, at West Hill Cemetery, 1304 W. Lamar Street in Sherman, Texas, where Bill Mayes, Minister of Krum Church of Christ, is to officiate.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in honor of Fred may be directed to National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network, P.O. Box 114, Curwensville, PA 16833; or to The Memorial Church of Christ, 900 Echo Ln, Houston, TX 77024.