Phillip (Phil) Frank Brooks was born February 22, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the age of six months the family moved to Berea, Ohio. Phil graduated from Berea High School in 1954. He was selected as a Distinguished Alumni in 2005. He attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in education and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant USAF. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity. In 1988 he was honored as the Community Service Award winner for the year and served on the Bowling Green Alumni Board of Directors for 4 years. He later earned a Master's Degree in Public administration from Central Michigan University.

He married Gloria Sue Kohler of Ashland, Ohio, in 1957, and entered flight training at Mission AB, Texas. Over the next 21 years he was stationed in Texas, Nebraska, Ohio, Washington D.C., Italy, England, Japan, and Thailand.

He retired in 1979 in the grade of Lt. Colonel. Military honors include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, USAF Commendation Medal (2 OLC) and other service ribbons.

After retirement he began his insurance career as a life insurance agent with Southwestern Life. Later he entered the financial arena, and ahs earned the designations of Chartered Life Underwriter CLU, Chartered Financial Consultant ChFC, and Life Underwriters Training Fellow LUTCF. He was a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), North Texas Estate and Financial Planning Council, Texoma Association Health Underwriters (TAHU) and served as President in all the associations. He was a Life and Qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table Association with a Top of the Table and 4 Court of Table Qualifications.

Phil joined the University Kiwanis Club and was the sponsor for the youth clubs. He was identified as the University Kiwanis Kiwanian of the year four times and was awarded the George F Hixon, Walter Zeller and the C T Bush awards and was honored with a Tablet of Honor and Heritage Award. He was a member of the International Kiwanis Committee of Builders Clubs and chaired that committee for four years. In 1997 he was presented the JC Penny Golden Rule Torch Award for community service. He was the President and active member of the Military Officer Association of America (MOAA) and was honored by the MOAA President's Award; he was also a member of the Air Force Association (AFA). He served on the Wichita Falls Area Food bank board for many years as well.

He volunteered with the Wichita Falls ISD in their Read 2 Learn program and was recognized as the Mentor of the year in 2020.

He had many hobbies. He was a golfer, a coin, match book and stamp collector. He had an extensive S Gauge American Flyer train layout along with a large display of Christmas village buildings with a running train.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, Merl E Brooks and Marcela Lamb Brooks; and sisters, Joy Brooks and Kathleen Nancy Brooks Fidler.

Phil survived by his wife of 66 years Gloria Brooks; many nieces, nephews, and god children.

He will be laid to rest in a private graveside service in Ashland, Ohio