Jerry Duvall Brooks

Jerry Brooks was born in Harrisonville, Missouri in 1934 and was the youngest of three children; older brother Jim; sister Amy.

During his younger years, his family lived in various places including Kansas, Virginia, Michigan and Roswell, NM. This is where he met Celesta Henrichs, who was his high school sweetheart at Roswell High School. They married in 1953 and moved to Las Cruces, NM in 1954. Jerry graduated from NM State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering in1960. Soon after graduation the family moved to China Lake.  He received his Master's Degree in Public Administration from USC in 1973. Then moved to Okinawa where he was employed by Kadena AFB as supervisor of the Civil Engineering department from 1973 to 1975. He was very involved in the Lutheran church.  He then transferred to Iwakuni, Japan where he managed a large group of engineers in the Engineering department.

Jerry was employed as a Civil Engineer at China Lake from 1978 until he retired in 1993. He was an active Amateur Radio operator for more than 60 years. For 27 years he was involved with the leadership of the Emergency Services of the East Kern County ARES/RACES community.

His passion in the desert was 4-wheeling. He explored many places like the Canyon Lands, Mojave Road, and Death Valley.

On June 15, 2023, he died peacefully at home with his wife of more than 69 years by his side.

He is survived by his wife Celesta Brooks, brother Jim Brooks (Susan), children Susan Bjork, and Thomas Brooks (Julia), grandchildren Sonja Bjork, Aaron Bjork (Chihiro) and Nathan Bjork (Britney), and 5 great-grandchildren Isaac, Annika, Asa, Lillian, and Lukas.

Services will be held at the Garden of Solitude, Desert Memorial Park cemetery in Ridgecrest on Saturday, June 24th at 11:00 am with Pastor Ken Lewis officiating. The reception will follow at the Nazarene church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jerry's name to 2023 Restoration Phase III of the Nazarene Church.