Gene Brooks

Longtime Fargo resident, O. Gene Brooks, 80, died Thursday, February 17, 2011, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born July 18, 1930, in Winchester, Kentucky, to John and Sally Brooks. In 1948 he met and married Sylvia A. Martin in Schenectady, New York. Over the years Gene and Sylvia lived all over the United States due to Gene's employment. In 1964 they moved to North Dakota and lived in Langdon and Mayville. Finally, in 1970 they moved to Fargo.

Gene was an accomplished Master Mechanic and worked on several national level projects to include the St. Lawrence Seaway Project, Niagara Falls Power Project, and Minute Man Missile Project.  Locally, Gene worked for Sornsin Construction and Moorhead Electric, retiring in 2003.

Gene's hobbies were leading Boy Scouts, coaching baseball, hunting, fabricating, making things for the family, fishing, and his very favorite hobby, enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gene was also an avid NASCAR fan. In his early years he raced under the NASCAR banner and was Eastern Division NASCAR champion in New York. In the early 70's Gene built and maintained Lucky 7 here in the local area, which his son drove to track championships at Glyndon Speedway, South Fargo Speedway, and Grand Forks Speedway.

Gene is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sylvia A. Brooks (Martin), Fargo, ND; his four children, Larry (Linda) Brooks, Catlett, VA, Ronald (Gloria) Brooks, Darlington, SC, Sandra (Steven) Balstad, Fargo, ND, and Michael (Janel) Brooks, Fargo, ND; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, John R. Brooks, Jr., and sister, Ruth Gallardo.

His parents, two sisters, one brother and an infant great granddaughter preceded him in death.