Benjamin Acie Brooks Jr.'s Obituary
age 83, of Dallas passed away suddenly but peacefully surrounded by his family on September 12, 2008. Ben was born in Blooming Grove, Navarro County, Texas in 1924 to Benjamin Sr. and Bernice Brooks. Although he was under the age of enlistment at the time, he quickly high-tailed it out of Blooming Grove to see the world courtesy of Uncle Sam and World War II. He served his Country with distinction as a decorated member of the U.S. Navy, primarily in the Pacific. He then returned home to Central Texas to find the love of his life,Linda Nuckols, from the more “cosmopolitan” town of Hillsboro. He attended Hill County Jr. College and North Texas State College. Ben then began a successful odyssey in the “oil patch” with stints in Houston, New Orleans, Ft. Worth, Hobbs, El Paso, Midland and finally settling in Dallas in 1965. During such time, he worked for Oilwell Supply Co., Dunigan Tool & Supply, and Robertson Onshore Drilling Company. He was a longtime member of the Petroleum Club of Dallas. Along the way, he and Linda raised three children, enjoyed the births of eight grandchildren, and recently celebrated the arrival of two great-grandsons. He was truly The Great Communicator, with the ability to always know what everyone in the family was doing and accomplishing. He could quote the batting averages and yards per carry of every grandkid – T-ball through college – and always rounded up. Ben was one of the most colorful, yet humble characters to walk this planet. He was loved by golf pros and caddies; CEOs and roughnecks. He knew a good cabernet by bouquet and had a deadly short game. His family takes comfort in knowing there will be spirited toasts to Ben in many 19th Holes – from his second home at the Dallas Athletic Club all the way to Augusta National. Though born of humble means, life for him was about making things better for his children. As such, Ben took great pride in the fact that all of his children and many of his grandchildren attended “The University” as he loved to call it, most often in the company of his Aggie golfing buddies. It was his University, too. Ben was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Billy Brooks and Helen Brooks. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda; sister in law Patricia Acrea, children Ben A. Brooks, III and wife Kathy; Sharon Crowder and husband Ken; Cyndi Hinckley and husband Bill; grandchildren: Bevan Rhine and husband Bobby, Allison Brooks, Brian Brooks, Bobby Doherty and wife Melissa, Brooks Doherty and wife Angela, Ben Doherty, Holliday Hinckley and Rowdy Hinckley; and great-grandchildren Jake Rhine, Finn Doherty and Cora Foster.
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