Brooks Eugene O'Kelley

Brooks Eugene O'Kelley Feb 28, 1929 - Jan 1, 2010 A walking hug who knew no strangers—that was Brooks O'Kelley. His booming, "How sweet it is!" greeting and delightful nature will never be forgotten by his multitude of family and friends. Brooks, who was 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Austin, Texas on January 1, 2010, where he and his wife and best friend of fifty four years, Dona O'Kelley lived. Brooks Eugene O'Kelley was born near Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 28, 1929. He liked to tell friends if he had been born one day later, he would have been in his twenties! He was the son of Leanna Brooks O'Kelley, and the baby in a family that included two older brothers and an older sister (who passed away exactly 10 years earlier on Jan. 1, 2000). The Great Depression was at its fiercest during Brooks' childhood and memories of the struggle to make ends meet for his and other families never left him. Like many of the "greatest generation", Brooks refused to let life's obstacles overcome living and finding goodness in it. Brooks attended a one room school house as a child, later graduating from Tulsa Central High School. He was a good football player in high school and earned a scholarship for college. He went on to play for Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, where he earned his Bachelor of Science. After graduating, he received an invitation to serve his country in the army. He trained as a Dental Technician and served in the Dental Corp. After completing military service, he enrolled in University of Washington dental school. However, a family situation arose that delayed those plans, and his life took a different turn. His genial personality made him a natural sales representative, and he was tapped to work for the Weyerhaeuser Company, selling lumber. He worked for the company for 15 years, and the company requirement that he move every four years guaranteed the O'Kelley's knew few, if any, strangers. The lived in Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Idaho and finally settled in Texas to finish raising their two daughters, Tamara and Daneile (Dani). After 15 years with Weyerhaeuser, he resigned to open his own lumber brokerage in Palm Desert, California. Brooks and Dee later returned to Austin to be near their four grandchildren: Amie Hanson Parsons, Alan Shields and Brooks and Caroline Schaefer. Brooks met Dona Jean (Rogers) West in 1955 when he was sent by Weyerhaeuser to work at Potlatch Forest, Inc. in Lewiston, Idaho. They were married in Lewiston on August 15, 1955 after knowing each other for only 12 weeks. Along with music, visiting with family and friends were the top priorities in Brooks' life. After all the years of travel, Brooks most loved being at home where he enjoyed playing golf and bridge. He was often coaxed up to Alaska to go salmon fishing with his brother and sister-in-law. A lingering trait from growing up in the depression without sweets was Brooks' adoration of anything made of sugar, whether candy, jam or molasses. He had the dubious talent of being able to inhale an entire Whitman's Sampler, and still be ready for dinner. So..... from "How Sweet It Is!" we have moved to "How sad we are." Brooks is undoubtedly planting everyone in heaven with one of those big hugs, joyful smiles and having a grand old time. But we all will miss him here. His wife Dona Jeanne O'Kelley, daughter Dani Schaefer and husband Dale Schaefer, MD, four grandchildren; Amie Hanson Parsons, Alan Shields, and Brooks and Caroline Schaefer survive him. The O'Kelley's older daughter, Tamara, passed away in 2007. A sister and two brothers, Velma James Livesay, Clayburn S. ("Boots") O'Kelley and Robert Clifford ("Bob") O'Kelley also preceded him. A celebration of Brooks' life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday January 9 at Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis Chapel, 411 Ranch Road 620 South. Brooks would prefer anyone wishing to make a donation to please not do so-- take the money and stash it under their own mattress. For those who insist, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society.