Hardy O. Brooks, Jr.

Hardy O. Brooks, Jr., 84, of Duncan went be with his Lord September 21, 2011 in the Lawton Veterans Center. Services will be 11 A.M. Saturday in the First Baptisit Church Chapel, with Randy Southerland officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery under the direction of Bailes-Polk Funeral Home. Hardy was born August 7, 1927 in Cox City, Oklahoma, the son of Hardy O. Brooks, Sr. and Velma T. Todd Brooks. His entrepreneureal spirit became evident when he bought and operated his own bowling alley at the age of 15. He graduated from Marlow High School in 1946. Two months after graduation he enlisted in the US Army where he served as a Medical NCO in Yocohama, Japan for 12 months and received the WlNIl Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal. Upon retuming home he attended the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1949. In June of 1950 he joined the US Marine Corp Reserve and was called into active duty at Camp Pendleton as a BAR man for a rifle team in the infantry. Passionate about everything he did in life, anyone willing to listen heard the stories of their landing at Inchon. Upon returning home, he began his life's work at Steele Funeral Home in Marlow, the Chickasha Funeral Home, and Moore Funeral Home in Tulsa. In 1952 he was affiliated with the Rangeley - Holden Funeral Home in Duncan. He later joined a Guthrie funeral home in 1954 and then returned to Duncan as manager, director, and part owner of Rangeley - Holden, which later became the Brooks Funeral Home. Having served successfully in funeral work for over 50 years, he retired in 2002. Dedicated to serving his community, Hardy was active in the Duncan Kiwanis Club, being elected Lt. Governor of the Texas-Oklahoma District and organized the Chisholm Trail Kiwanis Club of Duncan. As one of the founders of Kiddieland of Duncan, he loved working there until he was no longer able. He served two terms as Chairman of the Red Cross, President of the Stephens County Cancer Society, and of the Knife and Fork Club. He was also a member of Gideons International. He later founded the Water Garden Society of Southern Oklahoma and spearheaded the campaign to build the Fuqua Park water garden. He was devoted to the First Baptist Church, serving as chairman of ushers, teacher of eighth grade boys, Personnel Committee member, and Disaster Unit member. He married Kathleen Haas on Nov. 8, 1969, in Duncan, with whom he shared a beautiful loving life to his last breath. He adored his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He became as much of a kid as they were when they were around, though he could never resist the opportunity to teach them the most important things of life as well. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Kathy of the home in Duncan, three daughters, Les Margo of Pinedale, Wyoming, Laura Johnson of Oklahoma City and Brenda Cruz of Colorado Springs, Colorado; a son, Hardy O. Brooks III of Green Bay, Wisconsin, ten grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Hardy will be dearly missed, though the legacy he left will continue on for years to come. Contributions may be made to Chisholm Trail Hospice at 2000 W. Elk Duncan, Ok 73533, First Baptist Church at 901 W. Ash Duncan, Ok 73533 or the Duncan Kiwanis Club Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.bailespolk.com