Robert Brooks

Robert F. "Bob" Brooks, 84, of Birmingham passed away at home on April 26, 2017, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at 2pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville, with Rev. Jimmy Garner officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Survivors include his devoted wife of 60 years, Helen Foster Brooks; three daughters, Bretta Spruell, Bonnie Stephens, and Bethany Oliver, their husbands, and 8 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Bari West. He will be dearly missed by his family and a host of friends, though we know he is in a better place. Bob grew up in Ensley, proudly served in the United States Army, and graduated with honors from Birmingham-Southern College. Always a hard worker and excellent provider, Bob worked for Sears, Liberty Mutual, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept. After volunteering in the Reserves mounted posse, he served 23 years as administrative assistant to his great friend and mentor, Sheriff Mel Bailey. Bob was the first Chief Pilot for the Sheriff's Dept., holding multiple pilot and instructor ratings, and was active as an instructor into his early 80's. He was national president of the Airborne Law Enforcement Assoc,; actively raised funds as a Trustee of the Alabama Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranches; board member at Vacca Campus; Exalted Ruler in Elk's Lodge 79; active as a Shriner; and President of the Sabado Club and the Birmingham Fraternal Council. While his many professional accomplishments are impressive, he would most likely say his favorite role was that of being a father. Bob loved his Lord and his family above all and never met an animal he didn't like. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Ranch of Alabama at http://boysandgirlsranches.org/contributions.html