Freeman Lynn Brooks' Obituary
Freeman Lynn Brooks was born in the small farming community of Fruitvale, Idaho on September 5, 1934. Here are some other notable births, deaths, and events in 1934: Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, screen stars Sophia Loren, Shirley McLaine, and Bridget Bardot, astronomer Carl Sagan, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, and basketball great Bill Russell were born. Outlaws John Dillinger, Clyde Barrow, Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, and Lester "Babyface" Nelson were shot dead by law enforcement officials. The first Drivers Education Program is offered in State College, Pennsylvania. Superman "The Man of Steel" is created. The pictures of famous athletes first appeared on Wheaties cereal boxes. The first Volkswagen was built. The first laundromat opens in Fort Worth, Texas. The first car radios became available. Charles Ponzi, the infamous forger and swindler, is deported to Italy where he continued to swindle money from the fascists. The Federal Communications Commission, The Federal Housing Administration, and The Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as Banking Secrecy Laws were established in the United States and Switzerland. It was an interesting time, with a major depression and unemployment. A widespread dust bowl in the Midwest forced families to relocate.
Moving from Idaho to Arizona with his dad in 1950 would begin a chain of events that would affect the course and direction of his life in many ways. He somehow survived his first summer of heat. When he would complain to his grandmother, she would give him good advice: "take it one day at a time." Not much comfort when you were chopping cotton and milking cows. There are benefits to physical labor, sometimes difficult to find.
Lynn attended schools in Boise, Idaho and Mesa, Arizona. He graduated from Mesa High School in 1952. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, and while he rooted for many teams, his favorites were the Boise Braves, Mesa Jack Rabbits, U of A Wildcats, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Arizona Cardinals. For many years he attended athletic events of all kinds in San Manuel, "GO MINERS!" In later years, health issues impacted his attendance.
He attended rodeos twice a year with his good friend Doug Johnson. (Thank you, Doug!)
Fishing, hunting, and camping with his partners Cliff Ingram and Carlton Bell were his special times of enjoyment and relaxation when away from his job.
Lynn was employed by Magma Copper Corporation, BHP Mining Corporation, Duvall Copper, and Freeport McMoran Mining Corporation for a total of 43 year in the copper mining business. During many of those years he had a side gig, selling Knapp shoes in direct sales to businesses and individuals. He was also employed by the U of A at Biosphere II for 18 years and did census work for the government during census year 2000.
Lynn met the love of his life in 1953 while working for Newel Plumbing and Refrigeration Company in Mesa. He spotted this cool brunette fox across the street and soon made his move. He would not be detained or detoured or rebuffed; if it wasn't love at first sight, it was very close. Joy and Lynn were wed on June 18, 1955, in Casa Grande, where Lynn was employed by Orange Empire Wholesalers, managing their warehouse. They would relocate to San Manuel in early 1956 where he would gain employment on March 3 with Magma Copper. On November 12, 1958, they would be blessed with the arrival of a beautiful baby girl, Karen Lynn-a very stressful time as Lynn was recovering from his second back surgery in Phoenix Good Samaritan Hospital while Joy was giving birth at San Manuel Hospital. In the ensuing months, their faith would be severely tested in their efforts to return to work. This would be their first experience in the realm of politics in the workplace.
In the many other memorable events in his life there were five that stood out in his memory. His marriage to Joy of 65 years in 1955-Karen's birth in 1958-the last two, Ashlee's birth in 1982 and Isaac's birth in 2012 served to elevate Joy and Lynn's status to grand parenthood and then to great grand parenthood. The Hogg and Brooks families would never be the same.
Joy's passing in September 2020 and Karen's passing in December 2022 left huge holes in his life and in the lives of his loved ones that would impact and change the trajectory of their lives. The love and compassion of friends, family, and community would help to heal and pull them through. Five good friends from his church family would not survive the covid epidemic in 2021 and 2022.
Lynn was a member of good standing in his church and community. In his many years in San Manuel, he gained a multitude of friends and acquaintances in the Tri-Community area. He loved to explore the back roads in the surrounding desert and in the Galiuro and Catalina Mountains. For many years, Peppersauce Canyon was one of his favorite spots.
In 1959, he had an unforgettable experience of salvation with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. An experience that would impact and transform his life. He would never be the same. The Assembly of God would be his church home, where he would serve as Sunday School teacher, board member/trustee, occasional Preacher, and part-time custodian. He truly believed that faith could move mountains and throughout his Christian walk he witnessed many healings and miracles.
Lynn served many Pastors and congregants in his Church Body. He had many missions in life, but the ones that mattered most were his family, his church, and his community.
Lynn is preceded in death by his wife Joy Brooks, daughter Karen Hogg, father William Brooks, mother Nellie Lehman Alverson, sister Helen Linder, brother Bruce Brooks, brother Alan Alverson, and brother Robert Alverson.
He is survived by his son-in-law Lee Hogg, granddaughter Ashlee Hogg, grandson Roy Halbert, great-grandson Isaac Halbert, sister Chris Alverson, and a whole host and plethora of cousins, nieces, and nephews scattered throughout Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming-too many to list, but they all know they are loved.
Lynn had a code for living his life-love the Lord, love people, and ALWAYS strive to do the right and honorable thing-no other reason or rationale was needed-just do it right.
He will be missed, which sounds trite and repetitious, but it is always true at times like this.
To honor his memory and his pride in his great-grandson Isaac’s involvement, the family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers to Oracle Oaks 4-H. Please reach out to Ashlee ([email protected]) for more information
What’s your fondest memory of Freeman?
What’s a lesson you learned from Freeman?
Share a story where Freeman's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Freeman you’ll never forget.
How did Freeman make you smile?
