Kent Brooks passed away Tuesday, July 4, at his summer home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

He was born October 3, 1935, near Asher to J. L. "Dude" and Bertha Davis Brooks.

His family moved to San Francisco, California when he was 8 years old. After six years he returned to Asher where he graduated high school. He received an associate degree from Cameron Junior College, where he played football. He then attended The University of Oklahoma where he received a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering. He was a member of R.O.T.C, baseball team, student senate, numerous engineering organizations including PET, Knights of St. Pat and LKOT. At OU he was elected one of 100 Outstanding Independents by the university.

Kent served more than five years as an U.S. Air Force officer. He earned his wings and flew with the 2nd Fighter Squadron based out of Long Island, N.Y. His squadron was responsible for the protection of New York City during the Cold War.

While in the service he married Donna Jean Bruza. They were stationed mostly on Long Island where their son, Scot, was born. He returned to Oklahoma City and went to work as an engineer for Gulf Oil, now Chevron, and was soon transferred to Buras, Louisiana where their daughter Tracy was born.

After a short time, their home was destroyed by a hurricane and they moved to New Orleans where daughter Paige was born and where Kent received a law degree from Loyola. He graduated in the top four of his class. He then moved to Dallas, Texas, to work for Sedco, first as an engineer and finally as vice president and general counsel of operations. He then worked as general counsel for Eagle Productions and later had his own consulting business.

He was involved in the formation of Dallas-based ENSCO, which he served as associate general counsel, president of ENSCO Resources and as director of Risk Management until his retirement in 2000.

After retiring, he and daughter Tracy Hunn founded Brooks Hunn PC, specializing in corporate and energy-related legal matters. He also served as an arbitrator.

Kent was a member of the RNLA, the Maritime Law Association, Dallas Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association and was certified to practice before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. He was partner in Brooks Hunn and counsel to Eastham, Watson, Dale and Forney LLP in Houston. He was a registered engineer in Texas and Louisiana.

His work took him around the world. He traveled more than a million miles and experienced many cultures from sharing roast camel with a sheik to attending the initiation of a Nigerian tribal chief.

Despite the demands of world travel, he found time to coach soccer and help at home.

Except for a short time in Houston, they lived in Dallas for many years and were currently residing near Lake Texoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Claude and Peggy Bruza; brothers, James Earl Brooks and his wife, Vivian; and J. L. "Buck" Brooks.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; son, Scot, of Houston; daughters and sons-in-law, Tracy and Mark Hunn of Houston; Paige and Doug Roberts of Washington, D.C.; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Lena Brooks; sisters, Ophelia Grosz, Juanell Zandona and husband, Andy; Nelda Brooks; aunt, Mildred Murdock; four nephews, five nieces; sisters-in-law, Sharon Rout and Patti Chance; many other relatives and dear friends.

Service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, Dallas.

A military ceremony and burial will be 1:00 p.m. at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Avoca Church of Christ, north of Asher.

Terry Newell will speak.