In Memoriam: Gerald Lee Brooks

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The Texar Federal Credit Union family is remembering Gerald Lee Brooks, a dear friend and valued colleague on their board for 20 years, until his death on July 21. He was 85 years old. 

After 40 years of service to the Texas Independent School District, Brooks became the first African American to be elected to the Texar’s board, and he served as its chairman. Always a trailblazer, he was one of the first African Americans to desegregate TISD, in 1967, and one of the first appointed to work the Bowie County general elections. He was an active member of Oak Street Baptist Church, serving on its senior usher board and the financial committee. He was also a member of the Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators.

Brooks was born Nov. 12, 1938, in Tyler, Texas. He graduated from Emmett J. Scott High School in Tyler. He received his bachelor’s degree from Texas College, one of the nation's oldest Black colleges. He later received a master's in education from East Texas State University. While in college, Brooks joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and would come to celebrate 60 years of continuous service.

We at Cornerstone extend our heartfelt condolences to Brooks’ family, friends, and coworkers who will miss him greatly.