Gary Brooks, 72, of Red Oak passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 9, 2021.

He graduated from Lancaster High School in 1967. During his time in high school, he met the love of his life, Karen Andrews during their sophomore year. After graduation, Gary and Karen married on August 4, 1967. They spent fifty-four wonderful years together and raised two daughters.

Gary served as a fireman for thirty-seven years with the DeSoto Fire Department and retired in 2008. Not being able to sit idle in retirement, he held many part time jobs, but his absolute favorite job was being a bus driver for Life School of Waxahachie. He loved serving his students. He was a member of the Lancaster Masonic Lodge. He was also an active member of Ellis Cowboy Church where he faithfully served as a lay pastor.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Ramona Sanders.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Brooks of Red Oak; his daughter, Brandy and husband Grant Vowels of Waco; his daughter, Amanda Brooks of Ponder; and his four wonderful grandchildren: Taylor, Ethan, Logan and Mason. He is also survived by his sister, Pat and husband Jim Forbes of Baird; his sister, Rita and husband James Caffey of Cross Plains; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held at Ellis County Cowboy Church at 1:00pm on Friday, October 15, 2021, with Pastor Ray Boyd officiating. Interment will follow at Red Oak Cemetery. A visitation with family will be 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Byrum Funeral Home Chapel, Lancaster, Texas.