Gordon Arnold Brooks

Arnie was born on January 30, 1933 in Sterling, Illinois to Glenn Gordon and Effie Darlene Brooks (née Arnold). His “Big Sis”, Barbara Darlene (“Bobbie”) Brooks, loved him with all her heart every single day of his life.

As a boy, he grew up on the south side of Chicago until the family moved to Kansas City where he attended Central High School and excelled in sports. He was a fierce competitor. He won city wide medals in the hurdles and the pole-vault and was the quarterback of the football team.

He was a proud member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and made many lifelong friends while attending Central Missouri State, including Ron Comer, who went to start the “heavenly breakfast” last July, and Richard Helmuth, who was a true and stalwart friend until the very day Arnie died.

After graduation, he married Barbara Brooks Anselmi and they moved to California so he could serve his country at the U.S. Naval Training Center. When they returned to Kansas City, he worked for the Burroughs Corporation selling business machines.

He later joined his father as a manufacturers’ representative in the automotive industry. After his dad’s death and with the help of his mother and wife, he became one of the original distributors of STP Oil Company.

At that time, a can of STP was an advertising icon and practically sold itself. He used to say “the biggest problem I have is keeping it on the shelf.”

Arnie absolutely loved every minute that he represented “the Racer’s Edge.” It brought him into the exciting world of cars and racing; and, allowed him special access at the Indianapolis 500 and its time trials. In 1968, the company gave him an exact replica of that year’s Ford Torino pace car to drive around Kansas City before the race.

Arnie was also extremely proud of the Gordon Brooks Company. For over 50 years, he and Keith Corkran travelled throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa landing lines, taking orders and enjoying the “sales meetings” held in tropical locations.

He was an active member of several automotive distributor organizations where he developed friendships and held leadership positions over a long and successful career.

Arnie and Barbara raised their two children, Brian Arnold Brooks (Donna) and Melissa Brooks Lloyd, in the wonderful world of Leawood Kansas. They attended Zion Lutheran Church, spent time with their neighbors, especially the families of lifelong friends, Don Willsey and Mickey Griffith, and enjoyed all the families who made up the beloved Leawood Country Club.

It is there that Arnie perfected his tennis swing. He enjoyed playing mixed doubles, climbing “the ladder,” and having “a cold one in the Keg” afterwards. He eventually moved to Westwood Hills, became a member of its Tennis Club, and “gave the young kids a run for their money,” until his ankles decided that he should focus on golf.

Arnie was a sports fan. He was part of the original “wolf pack” in the old stadium, and when Arrowhead Stadium first opened, his season tickets were on the 50 yard line, twenty rows up, behind the chiefs bench.

He coached little league football with passion and class, and taught many boys how to conduct themselves on and off the field. He cared about each one of them, and they knew it.

He was a small investor in the Kansas City Scouts hockey team and in this capacity, he experienced firsthand the construction of the Kemper Arena and the building of a professional expansion team. After two short years, the NHL franchise folded and his response was “What a ride!”

He loved being Grandpa to Taryn Leah Brooks (Patrick Matysiewski), PeePa to Emma Caroline Lloyd, and great-grandpa to Milo Cru Matysiewski. He was “Uncle Arnie” to Brooke Barnes Hays (Greg) & Blake Barnes (Morgan) and was as proud of them as he was of his own two granddaughters. He was thrilled with the recent arrival of his two great-grandnieces Harper and Holland Hays.

He is survived by one nephew, Rick DeLay, and four nieces, “Dawn, Meg and Jill” Cundiff, and Darla Barnes, who was like a daughter to him and whose husband, Michael Barnes, was like a son. They generously shared their family and included him in all their family gatherings.

There were many who considered him part of their family. He was particularly close to Diana Hughes (who he never stopped visiting), Bob & Susie Greenburg, David & Karen Wolf, and Rick & Jeanie Moore. He was also welcomed into the Allen and Kay families and really enjoyed being included in NASCAR events with them.

The fact is, Arnie made wonderful friends wherever he went and just loved knowing people. He enjoyed everyone around him and formed extraordinary relationships up to the day he died. His personality never faltered even after his knees did.

He absolutely adored animals and would stop and greet every dog he came across. He deeply loved and cherished his own: Pumpkin, Beauregard, Chelsea, Cassie, and finally his beloved Annie. He is survived by Misty, who is left behind to comfort the love of his life, Carroll.

Through mutual friends, Arnie met Carroll Burger in 2015. Their friendship blossomed into a beautiful love story and they quickly became inseparable. They enjoyed many adventures together. Traveling to Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Anacortes, Washington, the San Juan Islands, and a memorable motorhome trip through South Dakota and Yellowstone.

In 2023, they decided to downsize and move into Meadowbrook Senior Living. There, they enjoyed the activities, happy hours, and were blessed with many friends, including Arnie’s longtime friend Richard Helmuth and Milburn and Evlyn Hobson as their neighbors.

When Arnie’s health began to decline, Carroll was beside him at all times and her two dear friends Marilyn Shea and Lynne Madeo were never far away, giving love, support and comfort. When more help was needed, Carroll brought in the most amazing team of caregivers from RN Services and St. Lukes Hospice. It didn’t take long for the caregiver’s hearts to become invested and they soon became a favorite client to many of the girls. The family is forever grateful for the love, support, and compassion they received from “Arnie’s Angels.”

Arnie took his final breath on his own terms. He was at home with Carroll holding his hand. She was the last thing he saw and he passed peacefully with the most beautiful sunrise on the horizon. He was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

A Memorial Service will be held on February 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas. Memorial live stream link: https://www.villagepres.org/online.html

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to: Wayside Waifs, or St. Lukes Hospice or Village Presbyterian Church Memorial Gift Donation (links below).