Thomas Henry Brooke

Thomas Henry Brooke was born Jan. 5, 1915, to Nellie Ann Ireland and Albion Paul Brooke in Pueblo, Colo. Mr. Brooke passed away on Oct. 15, 2012, in Thomasville, Ga. Mr. Brooke worked for the Santa Fe Railroad in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, Colo., for over 40 years, retiring in 1980. He held the positions of switchman, fireman on the old steam engines and engineer during his tenure there. He was the shop steward for the Railroad Employees Union for many years representing his fellow railroaders. Mr. Brooke was an avid hunter and lead family and friends on many a deer hunt in the Colorado Rockies. His sons, grandsons and granddaughter remember all the good times that were had on these hunts. With his wife, Bertha, Tom would build the family cabin at Twin Lakes, Colo. The small hunting shack ended up being a two bedroom home after Bertha finished the design. The cabin again provided family and friends with many lasting memories for 30-plus years. All the family remembers Dad getting up early to stoke the wood burning stove so that he could prepare the most delicious breakfasts for all. Tom and Bertha were exceedingly sad when the U.S. Forest Service bought out all the land and cabins around Twin Lakes. However, this provided them with the opportunity to begin their travels during retirement. Each winter you could find them in the Needles and southern California areas enjoying the warm weather and making friends in all locations they visited. They relocated to Thomasville, Ga., in 2002 to be near family. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Miller Brooke; sister, Alma Brooke Bennet; stepsister, Betty Hunter; and brother, Wesley Brooke. Tom is survived by his three sons, C. William Brooke Rose, Yontville, Calif., Jerry Kirk Brooke Lucy, Thomasville, Ga., and Thomas Scott Brooke Sherry, Waunakee, Wis. He also is survived by seven grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on the summit of Quail Mountain, Twin Lakes, Colo., next summer. Guest may sign the online register at www.allenfh.com