David Lee Brooks

The world lost a gentle and loving soul when David Lee Brooks passed away on May 6, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family. He was born a Hoosier and ninety-four years later died a Hoosier. David was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. David lived a life defined by hard work, humor, wit, a deep love of his country and loyalty to family and his beloved Chicago Cubs.

He was an only child born in Hammond, Indiana on October 15, 1931 to Fines Ewan and Mary Christine Brooks. He loved growing up in the “region” where he attended Hammond High School, excelling in baseball and basketball. A gifted athlete and student, a lifelong sports enthusiast, he developed an early love for the Chicago Cubs. As a young boy he would travel by train with buddies and a bagged lunch into Chicago to watch Cubs games, collect autographs and experience the excitement of Wrigley Field. The Cubs were on an eight-game winning streak in his last days of his life.

David attended Purdue University both in West Lafayette and Calumet where he played collegiate basketball. He earned his degree in chemical engineering and became a lifelong Boilermaker. He was called to serve our country in the Guided Missile Battalion at Fort Bliss in El Paso. David then began a remarkable 37-year career with Mobil Oil Corporation. Starting as a process engineer, David rose through refinery management ranks and led start-ups of massive refinery operations. His work took him and his family from Indiana to Texas to New Jersey and eventually to four years in Saudi Arabia. There he led Mobil’s PEMREF refinery operations during the first Gulf War. At that time, PEMREF was the world’s largest oil refinery.

David met the love of his life, Sandra Lee Mears, at a church musical in Hammond. They began dating after she beat him in a fierce ping pong match-a game the family played for decades. Their marriage became a partnership that lasted seventy-two years. In their early years in Hammond, their life centered on family, their church where David served as a Deacon and Sandy as a Choir Director. They led scout troops and coached youth sports.

David was happiest when he was in a ballpark, on a sideline, a bleacher or in an auditorium. He loved watching his children excel in sports and music, especially tennis, band and orchestra. In his later years, he never missed an opportunity to watch one of his five grandchildren play soccer, run in meets or race cars. His great grandchildren became his greatest joy in his final year.

David was immensely proud of his family survived by his wife, Sandy, their son David Brooks (Susan), daughter Lisa Tullman (Steve), grandchildren Jessica (JJ), Conner (Owen), Max, Alex (Tess), and Olivia and great grandchildren Josephine and George and many extended family members and lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his dearly beloved son, Jeffrey Allen, who died in 1992.

David will be remembered for his quick wit, competitive spirit, kind generosity and enduring love he showed to his family and friends. His life was one of quiet accomplishment, deep loyalty and lasting impact on all who knew him.

The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at Barrington Senior Living who cared for David in his final years.

Visitation will be held at Leppert Mortuary-Carmel Chapel, 900 N. Rangeline Road, Carmel, Indiana 46032 on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 10 -11 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am with a reception at Leppert to follow. Burial will be private at Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. The family has designated contributions to be made in David’s memory to Cubs Charities, Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St. Chicago, Illinois 60613 or online at www.CubsCharities.org.