Obituary for Jim Bob Brooks
Jim Bob Brooks, a lifelong resident of southwest Oklahoma, passed away on November 5, 2025, at Integris Southwest Hospital in Oklahoma City at the age of 57.
Jim Bob was born on September 10, 1968, in Fort Meade, Maryland, to Gene and Judy (Gateley) Brooks. He grew up in Granite, where he attended school and proudly graduated from Granite High School with the Class of 1987.
After graduation, Jim Bob held several jobs at Bar-S Foods, Wal-Mart, and the Seed Company before finding his lifelong calling in public service. In 1997, he began working for the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite, following in his families footsteps as a third-generation correctional officer. Over the next twenty-two years, Jim Bob dedicated himself to his work and to the men he supervised many of whom affectionately called him "Coach" for his steady guidance, fairness, and encouragement. After a brief time at the Sayre facility, he returned to Granite, the place he loved most, until his retirement in 2019.
It was through an electronic darts league that Jim Bob met, Malenda Smith. What began as friendship soon blossomed into a lasting love. After a decade together, they were united in marriage on November 17, 2003, in Wellington, Texas. Together they shared more than twenty-two years of marriage.
Jim Bob was an avid sports enthusiast and a proud OU football fan. He loved playing softball, cheering on his favorite teams, and never missed a chance to catch a good football game. Known for his kind spirit and laid-back nature, Jim Bob had a gentle strength that drew people to him. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandson-his pride and joy, the lights of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-two years, Malenda Brooks of Mangum; his father, Gene Brooks ; Mother, Judy Brooks; his stepson, Kerry Mills; his siblings, Lorie Goss and husband Scott, and John Mark Brooks; his aunts, Linda Madden and husband Gary, and Pat Nagel, his cherished grandchildren, Kelsey Ranee Routh and McKenzie Leigh Mills; and his great-grandson, Kutter Routh. Nephew, Cole Dennis, Nieces, Cierra Dennis, Layla Brooks Ella Brooks, Rebel Brooks and his great niece and nephew, Blaityn Bassel and Camdyn Dennis, extended family members, and many dear friends who will miss him deeply.
Preceding Jim Bob is his paternal grandparents, Luther and Bernice Brooks, and maternal grandparents, Odell and Vestell Gateley, Aunts, Mary Lou Brooks, Lynn and Dale Biddy.
Jim Bob Brooks will be remembered for his big heart, his love of sports, his devotion to family, and his unwavering kindness to all who knew him. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched both inside and outside the walls of the reformatory he proudly served.
Honorary pallbearers will be the class of 1987.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Granite Alumni Association class of 1987.
A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Granite High School Auditorium in Granite, Oklahoma.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Greer Funeral Home, Granite, Oklahoma.
Jim Bob was born on September 10, 1968, in Fort Meade, Maryland, to Gene and Judy (Gateley) Brooks. He grew up in Granite, where he attended school and proudly graduated from Granite High School with the Class of 1987.
After graduation, Jim Bob held several jobs at Bar-S Foods, Wal-Mart, and the Seed Company before finding his lifelong calling in public service. In 1997, he began working for the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite, following in his families footsteps as a third-generation correctional officer. Over the next twenty-two years, Jim Bob dedicated himself to his work and to the men he supervised many of whom affectionately called him "Coach" for his steady guidance, fairness, and encouragement. After a brief time at the Sayre facility, he returned to Granite, the place he loved most, until his retirement in 2019.
It was through an electronic darts league that Jim Bob met, Malenda Smith. What began as friendship soon blossomed into a lasting love. After a decade together, they were united in marriage on November 17, 2003, in Wellington, Texas. Together they shared more than twenty-two years of marriage.
Jim Bob was an avid sports enthusiast and a proud OU football fan. He loved playing softball, cheering on his favorite teams, and never missed a chance to catch a good football game. Known for his kind spirit and laid-back nature, Jim Bob had a gentle strength that drew people to him. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandson-his pride and joy, the lights of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-two years, Malenda Brooks of Mangum; his father, Gene Brooks ; Mother, Judy Brooks; his stepson, Kerry Mills; his siblings, Lorie Goss and husband Scott, and John Mark Brooks; his aunts, Linda Madden and husband Gary, and Pat Nagel, his cherished grandchildren, Kelsey Ranee Routh and McKenzie Leigh Mills; and his great-grandson, Kutter Routh. Nephew, Cole Dennis, Nieces, Cierra Dennis, Layla Brooks Ella Brooks, Rebel Brooks and his great niece and nephew, Blaityn Bassel and Camdyn Dennis, extended family members, and many dear friends who will miss him deeply.
Preceding Jim Bob is his paternal grandparents, Luther and Bernice Brooks, and maternal grandparents, Odell and Vestell Gateley, Aunts, Mary Lou Brooks, Lynn and Dale Biddy.
Jim Bob Brooks will be remembered for his big heart, his love of sports, his devotion to family, and his unwavering kindness to all who knew him. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched both inside and outside the walls of the reformatory he proudly served.
Honorary pallbearers will be the class of 1987.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Granite Alumni Association class of 1987.
A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Granite High School Auditorium in Granite, Oklahoma.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Greer Funeral Home, Granite, Oklahoma.
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