Garrett Cunningham Brooks

Garrett was born on July 3, 1933, in Midway to George Thomas Brooks and Ester Cunningham Brooks. The youngest of nine children, Garrett’s early life was shaped by both hardship and resilience. By the age of 14, he had endured the heartbreaking loss of both parents within a year of each other. Following their passing, Garrett moved to Havana to live with his beloved older sister, Kit, and her husband, William Dunn. Garrett always treasured the love and stability he found as part of William and Kit Dunn’s family.

In Havana, Garrett thrived as a student-athlete, excelling in sports and becoming known throughout the community for his talent on the ballfield. He proudly played for the old Havana Wrappers while also working alongside his brother-in-law William in the timber industry throughout Gadsden County. Those formative years instilled in Garrett the work ethic, humility, determination, and loyalty that defined his life.

Upon graduating from high school, Garrett enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War era. Though offered the opportunity to become a member of the inaugural class of the newly formed United States Air Force Academy, Garrett chose instead to continue directly into active service.

One of Garrett’s favorite stories to tell began with his overseas assignment. While the remaining members of his squadron received orders for Korea, Garrett alone was assigned to a base just outside London. Upon arriving, he was greeted by a familiar Sergeant Major from his stateside base who tossed him a softball and said, “Welcome to England, now form a softball team and win a European Championship.”

At that moment, Garrett realized his stationing had not been by chance.

Serving as team manager and ace pitcher, Garrett led West Drayton Base team to multiple championships to include the European Fast Pitch Softball Championships. The experience allowed him to travel extensively throughout Europe, broadening his world and creating friendships and memories he would cherish for the rest of his life. While in England, Garrett served as an Aerial Photography Analyst and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant during his six years of honorable service.

It was also during his time in England that Garrett’s greatest life journey began. Joining one of his service buddies on a blind date, Garrett met a petite British young woman named Heather who had recently completed her bachelor’s degree in theater. Garrett soon knew he had met his life’s partner.

The two came from remarkably different worlds. Garrett was raised in rural North Florida as the youngest child in a large family, while Heather was the cosmopolitan only child of Scottish and English parents. Their courtship soon found Garrett spending more time away from the base and becoming part of Heather’s close-knit British family. With the approval of his future Scottish father-in-law, Garrett and Heather were married on September 3, 1955, in a Congregational Church in Greater London.

As Garrett completed his Air Force service, he and Heather welcomed their first son, Kevin. Soon afterward, the young family traveled from London through New York and ultimately settled in Tallahassee, where Garrett began work with Fairchild Aviation. After purchasing a home in Tallahassee, Garrett chose not to relocate when the company consolidated operations in Los Angeles, deciding instead that keeping his young family rooted and secure mattered most.

Garrett soon embarked on a distinguished 30-year career with the Florida Department of Transportation. Throughout his career, Garrett remained steadfast in his belief that family always came first. By the age of 30, Garrett and Heather had welcomed two more sons, Murray and Barry. Raising and supporting his boys became the center of Garrett’s life.

Whether coaching youth league teams for Kevin and Barry or traveling across the state so Murray could compete in gymnastics, Garrett was deeply involved in every aspect of his sons’ lives. His presence, encouragement, and example shaped the men they would become.

For Heather, Garrett was a constant and dependable foundation as she built a successful career in local radio and television. Family members often joked that Garrett deserved Heather’s master’s degree in communications as much as she did, since he faithfully typed countless class assignments along the way.

As retirement approached and their sons-built families of their own, Garrett and Heather purchased a vacation home in Mexico Beach, a place they had long loved as a couple and family. For more than 20 years, Mexico Beach became their refuge — a peaceful escape where Garrett, Heather, and their beloved dogs could recharge and enjoy life’s quieter moments. Many treasured friendships and memories were made there, but Garrett especially valued the solitude, peace, and simple beauty the beach provided.

Retirement never slowed Garrett’s commitment to faith, service, and community. He served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church and later at Lafayette Presbyterian Church. Alongside Heather, he volunteered with the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary Service. Later in retirement, Garrett found joy serving as a crossing guard at his grandson’s school, Florida High, in the Southwood community he proudly called home.

Healthy, active, and deeply devoted to helping others, Garrett lived a full and meaningful life. His greatest joy came not from personal recognition, but from seeing the success and happiness of those he loved so deeply — his wife, his sons, his family, his church, and the many young people and neighbors whose lives he quietly touched through service and kindness.

Garrett is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Heather Brooks; his sons Kevin Brooks and wife Michele, Murray Brooks and wife Kathy, and Barry Brooks and wife Robin; along with extended family members, dear friends, and generations of people blessed by his wisdom, humor, generosity, and steady presence.

Garrett Brooks lived a life grounded in faith, family, humility, and service. From the fields of Havana to championship softball diamonds across Europe, from military service to decades of public service and volunteerism, Garrett’s life was one of quiet strength, unwavering devotion, and enduring grace.

His memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him.

A Committal Service will be held at Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Pkwy, Tallahassee, FL 32311, US, on May 29, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am.

A Memorial Reception will follow at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308, US, on May 29, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.