Tuskegee Airman. He graduated from Howard High School in Piedmont, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia University.) He was a Sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airman, where he served as a cryptologist with the 332nd Fighter Group. He also held the distinction of being the last surviving Tuskegee Airman in West Virginia.
He retired with over 40 years of service with the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company in Cumberland, Maryland, where he was named "Man of the Year" when he retired. Gene was a life member with over 75 years of service to the Washington-Smith Post 152, American Legion in Keyser, was a member of the Chaplain's Hall of Fame, and served in numerous offices at the state department level. He was a member of Potomac Masonic Lodge # 41, Keyser, and was a member of the Shrine Temple, where he became a 33rd degree Mason, Lodge # 662, Loyal Order of Moose, Keyser and Queen's Point Memorial Post # 6775, VFW in McCoole, MD. He served as a lay leader and treasurer of Janes United Methodist Church in Keyser, until his passing. He was one of the pioneer members of the Eastern West Virginia Community Action. In 2007, he was recognized by then-Governor Joe Manchin during an Armed Forces Day program for his dedication and courage while serving in World War II, and he was presented with a bronze replica of the Congressional Medal in 2010. He also received Mineral County Day citations from the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates in 2019 and was honored by the Aubrey Stewart Project with the installation of a sign honoring him at the North entrance to Keyser at the foot of Memorial Bridge. In 2018, the City of Keyser renamed South End Park to Brooks Park in his honor.
He retired with over 40 years of service with the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company in Cumberland, Maryland, where he was named "Man of the Year" when he retired. Gene was a life member with over 75 years of service to the Washington-Smith Post 152, American Legion in Keyser, was a member of the Chaplain's Hall of Fame, and served in numerous offices at the state department level. He was a member of Potomac Masonic Lodge # 41, Keyser, and was a member of the Shrine Temple, where he became a 33rd degree Mason, Lodge # 662, Loyal Order of Moose, Keyser and Queen's Point Memorial Post # 6775, VFW in McCoole, MD. He served as a lay leader and treasurer of Janes United Methodist Church in Keyser, until his passing. He was one of the pioneer members of the Eastern West Virginia Community Action. In 2007, he was recognized by then-Governor Joe Manchin during an Armed Forces Day program for his dedication and courage while serving in World War II, and he was presented with a bronze replica of the Congressional Medal in 2010. He also received Mineral County Day citations from the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates in 2019 and was honored by the Aubrey Stewart Project with the installation of a sign honoring him at the North entrance to Keyser at the foot of Memorial Bridge. In 2018, the City of Keyser renamed South End Park to Brooks Park in his honor.
Tuskegee Airman. He graduated from Howard High School in Piedmont, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia University.) He was a Sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airman, where he served as a cryptologist with the 332nd Fighter Group. He also held the distinction of being the last surviving Tuskegee Airman in West Virginia.
He retired with over 40 years of service with the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company in Cumberland, Maryland, where he was named "Man of the Year" when he retired. Gene was a life member with over 75 years of service to the Washington-Smith Post 152, American Legion in Keyser, was a member of the Chaplain's Hall of Fame, and served in numerous offices at the state department level. He was a member of Potomac Masonic Lodge # 41, Keyser, and was a member of the Shrine Temple, where he became a 33rd degree Mason, Lodge # 662, Loyal Order of Moose, Keyser and Queen's Point Memorial Post # 6775, VFW in McCoole, MD. He served as a lay leader and treasurer of Janes United Methodist Church in Keyser, until his passing. He was one of the pioneer members of the Eastern West Virginia Community Action. In 2007, he was recognized by then-Governor Joe Manchin during an Armed Forces Day program for his dedication and courage while serving in World War II, and he was presented with a bronze replica of the Congressional Medal in 2010. He also received Mineral County Day citations from the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates in 2019 and was honored by the Aubrey Stewart Project with the installation of a sign honoring him at the North entrance to Keyser at the foot of Memorial Bridge. In 2018, the City of Keyser renamed South End Park to Brooks Park in his honor.
He retired with over 40 years of service with the Kelly-Springfield Tire Company in Cumberland, Maryland, where he was named "Man of the Year" when he retired. Gene was a life member with over 75 years of service to the Washington-Smith Post 152, American Legion in Keyser, was a member of the Chaplain's Hall of Fame, and served in numerous offices at the state department level. He was a member of Potomac Masonic Lodge # 41, Keyser, and was a member of the Shrine Temple, where he became a 33rd degree Mason, Lodge # 662, Loyal Order of Moose, Keyser and Queen's Point Memorial Post # 6775, VFW in McCoole, MD. He served as a lay leader and treasurer of Janes United Methodist Church in Keyser, until his passing. He was one of the pioneer members of the Eastern West Virginia Community Action. In 2007, he was recognized by then-Governor Joe Manchin during an Armed Forces Day program for his dedication and courage while serving in World War II, and he was presented with a bronze replica of the Congressional Medal in 2010. He also received Mineral County Day citations from the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates in 2019 and was honored by the Aubrey Stewart Project with the installation of a sign honoring him at the North entrance to Keyser at the foot of Memorial Bridge. In 2018, the City of Keyser renamed South End Park to Brooks Park in his honor.
Bio by: Shawntrell Washington
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Brooks memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
