Stephen "Steve" Brooks

Stephen Marion Brooks, 69, of Odessa, passed away on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023, in Odessa, TX.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023, at First Baptist Church Odessa with Byron McWilliams officiating. Burial will follow at Tamarisk Cemetery in Grandfalls, TX. Arrangements are made by Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

Steve was born in Wichita Falls, TX, to Marion and Bettie Brooks on April 7, 1953. He attended school in Grandfalls, TX. He was introduced to his future wife by his mom Bettie who taught with her in Grandfalls. He married Becky Means March 14, 1981, in Temple, TX.

He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1978. He received a master’s degree in Educational Administration from UTPB and a master’s degree in Education and Counseling from Sul Ross State University.

He also received a Mediation Certification from The University of Texas Austin and The University of Oklahoma.

His most recent accomplishment was his certification in Biblical Counseling from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary.

Steve taught at the West Texas State School in Pyote, TX, for Texas Youth Commission students in grades 6-12. He was a teacher and coach at Grandfalls Royalty High School where he taught speech and debate and was known as Coach. He worked at Region 18 for 8 years as a consultant. He was also with ECISD for many years. He taught and coached at Hood Junior High School and Crockett Junior High School. His most recent job was the school counselor at Blackshear Elementary School.

He was the author of a state approved curriculum for incarcerated fathers called “Fathers are Forever”, and an author of a federally approved Dreamcatcher Life Plan Program, and an administrator of Midland County Child Protective Services Mediation Project.

Steve was a HUGE Texas Longhorns fan and Texas Ex and always had on his burnt orange every Saturday for game day. He loved teaching and working with kids.

One of his biggest passions was playing music. He played trombone and guitar with many groups in Grandfalls, Austin, and Sul Ross. He was a jokester and always made anyone laugh. Most importantly he was a great husband, father, and Pappy.

Steve’s love for the Lord was so amazing. He started off teaching fourth grade Sunday school with Caroline North at First Baptist then moved to teaching adult Sunday school. He was a deacon in the church. He loved attending the Men’s Friday lunch at Johnny’s BBQ and Men’s Prayer Breakfast with his many wonderful friends at Crossroads Church.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Marion and Bettie Brooks Urban and stepfather Edwin Urban.

He is survived by his wife of over 40 years Becky Brooks; daughter Nikki Robbins and son-in-law Reese Robbins; two beautiful granddaughters Emily and Devyn; his sister Sheri Brooks McInturff and brother-in-law Darren McInturff, and two nieces Lauren and Katelyn.

The family would like to thank the hospital staff at ORMC for their kindness and compassion over the last month and everything they did.

In lieu of flowers please donate in Steve’s honor to First Odessa Christian Academy.