Donald R. Brooks 1922-2023

Don was born June 16, 1922, in Chicago, the oldest of three children of Hazel Anna Marie Lau and Earl Robert Brooks. The family lived in Minneapolis and subsequently moved to Erie, Pa., in 1933.

Don graduated from Erie Academy High School and attended Westminster College until June 1942, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant, then assigned in April 1944 to Ellington Army Air Corps Base in Houston as a twin-engine advanced pilot instructor. In July 1944, he was transferred to March Field in Riverside, Calif., for B-24 bomber training, and in October 1944, he flew the new B-24 to Darwin, Australia, to join the 380th Bomber Group. He next flew 31 bombing missions from Darwin, Australia, to Mindoro in the Philippines and Okinawa until the war ended.

He was discharged in December 1945, after being decorated with two air medals and five Pacific ribbons.

He resumed his education at The Ohio State University and graduated in June 1947 with a degree in business administration, then moved to Cleveland to complete Case Western Reserve Law School and pass the bar in June 1949.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Frances Smatana, on April 11, 1944, in Houston, Texas. After 65 years of marriage, Don lost Dorothy when she passed away in April 2009.

In 1950, Don was invited to join his father’s growing business, the Safety Tire Company in Youngstown, which continued to expand to multiple locations. It remained in the hands of the Brooks family until it was purchased by Flynn’s Tire in 2000. Don retired, but remained an active golfer, bridge player, bowler and a participant in community service.

Don became a member of Poland Presbyterian Church in 1941, where he served as a deacon, elder, clerk of session and usher team leader.

He was always active in the community, in his own words, “a joiner.” He logged many years of service to the Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCs), and was a member of the Downtown Youngstown Kiwanis Club, where he was presented his 50 years of service award, his 50 years for perfect attendance and the Kiwanis Hixson Award. Don was a member of the Mahoning County TB and Health Association, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a Mason with Poland Masonic Lodge 766 F&AM and the American Legion, where he marched in the Memorial Day color guard for many years. Moreover, he served many of these organizations in leadership roles as president, chairman and board member.

Don is survived by three children, Rebecca Brooks of Boston, Wendy Brooks Bean of Sarasota, Fla., and Christopher (Nancy) Brooks of Canfield; four grandchildren, Alana (Michael Kenyhercz) Brooks of Kailua, Hawaii, Lauren Bean of Sarasota, Fla., Ron Sullivan of Novi, Mich., and Ryan Sullivan of Canfield; and a brother, Robert E. (Norma) Brooks of Fort Myers, Fla.

Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; and a sister, Barbara A. Murray.

Family and friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main Street in Poland, and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2023, at Poland Presbyterian Church, 2 Poland Manor. There will be a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, with Dr. Rev. Paul W. Anderson officiating.

The Brooks family would like to extend a special thanks to Ed and Diane Reese, along with the entire staff of The Inn at Ironwood in Canfield, for all of the care and compassion they gave Don and his family during his stay.

The family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions to Hospice of the Valley, 979 Tibbetts Wick Road, Girard, OH 44420, in memory of Don.

Don will be sorely missed, especially for his great sense of humor, generous spirit and patriotic values: he was truly one of the “Greatest Generation.”

Visit www.beckerorbits.com to share memories and send condolences to Don’s family.

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