Thomas Edwin Brooker peacefully departed this earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, June 28, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering commitment to his beautiful wife, his family, his faith, and his community that touched the lives of all who knew him.

Tom was born to loving parents, Beatrice and Joseph Brooker, October 13, 1936 in Monroe, Michigan. Tom often reflected that he was blessed with "great beginnings" with a mom and dad that loved him and his brother, Norman, very much. Tom graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1954 and entered the military at the age of 18, serving two years with the US Army 21st Infantry in Korea. He then attended his beloved Michigan State University, where he graduated with honors. Graduation was followed by a move to Dallas and a much-enjoyed 19 years with homebuilder, Fox and Jacobs. Tom then served 28 years with Ayrshire Corporation and Eland Development Company as General Manager of League City's South Shore Harbour development. As an associate with Eland, he was involved with the development of a number of landmark commercial and residential properties in Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York City.

Throughout his life, Tom demonstrated remarkable strength of character. He was a man of impeccable integrity and work ethic who attributed his growth to "lessons learned from many good mentors" that led him into a life of learning, growing, and giving. He served his community selflessly, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. His generosity knew no bounds, whether through volunteering, offering counsel to friends and strangers alike, or simply being a supportive presence for his loved ones.

Of his career in homebuilding, Tom shared, "I think I had a role in helping families fulfill their dreams by having a great place to live." He had an affinity for great places to grow up and treasured his upbringing in Ann Arbor. It was there that he met Sandra Sue Townsley, the love of his life. The two were in the same Sunday School class at the age of 5 and began going steady at the age of 15.

Tom married his high school sweetheart on September 14, 1957 at Ann Arbor's First Baptist Church. The following years saw the arrival of God's precious gifts to Tom and Sandra, their children, Daniel, Susan, and Diane, followed by 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Tom often said, "Work has been a great part of my life, but Sandra, the children, and family have been God's greatest gift of all."

Tom was a man of faith and a spiritual leader to his family, leading them by example,prayer, and counsel to serve and glorify God in all things. He was a devoted and faithful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Over the years he enjoyed beautiful times with Sandra by his side raising their family and an abundance of trips and adventures around the world. Married for 67 wonderful years, she was the love of his life, and he counted her as God's greatest earthly gift to him.

Tom also spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren. Whether it be regular phone calls, family beach and lake trips, skiing, family Christmases, D.C. and other fun trips, kite-flying, hunting, fishing, crabbing, bird-watching, yo-yo-ing, remote car racing, talent nights, juggling, banana pancake-making, trips to the hardware store, advising, or deep spiritual, historical, or political discussions, he blessed his children and grandchildren with a lifetime of invaluable treasures in the memories and lessons which we all hold dear in our hearts and have helped to make us the people we are today.

Tom was a passionate outdoorsman, and spent as much time as he could hunting and fishing. He was a patriot who believed in service and honoring those who served our country.

Tom is survived by his wife Sandra Sue Brooker; daughter, Susan Turner of Georgetown, Texas; daughter Diane Spear and husband Gram Spear of Kinston, NC; daughter-in-law Renee Brooker of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Lisa (Michael), Tommy (Blair), Michael (Lauren), Steven (Becca), Scott, Blake, Joshua (Madeline), Joseph (Natalie), Amanda (Ethan), and Susie; great-grandchildren, Carson, Clayton, Daniel, Annaleigh James, and Charlotte; and many special nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother and father Beatrice and Joseph Brooker; his brother, Norman Brooker; his son, Daniel Steven Brooker; and his son-in-law, Clayton Turner. In addition to his family, Tom leaves behind a wide circle of friends and colleagues who admired him for his wisdom, humility, and faithfulness. He will be remembered for his warm smile, his gentle spirit, and his unwavering belief in the power of God's love. A service to celebrate Tom's life will be held at Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX on July 20 at 2:00pm with a time of fellowship to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hope Preparatory School, 2600 Rouse Rd, Kinston, NC 28504, www.hopeprepschool.org. Donations to Hope Preparatory School honor Tom's lifelong commitment to education and helping those in need.

Thomas Edwin Brooker will be dearly missed and forever remembered as a beacon of faith and love in our lives. "He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7