Lawrence "Larry" Brooks

Lawrence "Larry" Brooks

August 13, 1946 - July 18, 2021

Lawrence (Larry) Leo Brooks, aged 74, passed away peacefully July 18th surrounded by his loving family.  Larry was born August 13th, 1946 in Lima, Ohio to George and Agnes (Hemry) Brooks.  Larry spent the early years of his life in the tiny town of Leipsic Ohio before moving to his “hometown” of Deshler at the age of 7.  Larry graduated from Deshler High School in 1964 and even before graduation he knew he wanted to go out and see the world.  He enlisted in the Navy and left Deshler just after his 18th birthday.  Larry traveled the world for the next four years on both the USS Randolph and USS Yorktown.  His travels took him to Cuba, several countries in South America, then Australia, and his final stop was Southeast Asia. 

When Larry’s active tour ended he headed back to Northwest Ohio.  He spent almost twenty years working at Torrence Sound in Perrysburg, Ohio.  Working with his mentor and friend Glenn Torrence installing security systems as well as sound systems in local businesses, hospitals, and even his son’s little league field.  By the time he was in his mid-40s Larry decided he wanted to be his own boss.  So, he moved back to Deshler and started a construction company.  One of the first jobs he completed was fixing up a small restaurant in the town that him and his wife had purchased.  They would own that restaurant for the next ten years.  He set up a wood shop next to the restaurant and started to build custom items for the family and friends. His last employer was Weis and Associates who he built restaurant tables for until he retired. It was this last job where he found himself traveling again.  He delivered his tables all over the state of Ohio as well as a few stops in Michigan and West Virginia.  Larry also liked to make wooden creations for family and friends in his spare time at his shop.  They ranged from small things like jewelry boxes to larger items like Grandfather clocks.  If anyone ever needed to find Larry, there was a good chance all they had to do was stop by his shop.

Larry was an avid reader.  His two favorite genres were spy novels and horror stories.  His personal library contained all the Stephen King novels as well as Tom Clancy.  In his later years he read more of the “Killing” series by Bill O’Reily because he was a huge fan of history.  Larry also liked to sit back and relax to a good television show. When there wasn’t a Buckeye football or basketball game to watch, he really enjoyed watching all the different Star Trek tv series, Law and Order, X -files, and any old western that was on when he was home for lunch.  In his later years Larry became fascinated with watches.  He learned all he could about how they were made, who were the best makers of watches, and then started to collect them.  At the end he had totaled over 100 watches in his collection.

Larry is survived by his three children Nicole (Bowling Green), Joshua (Bowling Green), and Cynthia (Napoleon).  Grandchildren Sophia Rice and Porter Rice, sister Anita (Dave) Long, brother Bill (Tracy) Brooks, nieces, Staci (Michael) Challen, Tracey Phillips, Toni (Jason) Hunt and nephew Tyler (Madalyn) Brooks.  He also has several great nieces and nephews that will miss him as well.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents George and Agnes Brooks. His grandparents Effie and Preston Hemry and Wayne and Hattie Brooks.

A Celebration of Larry’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler and military honors will be accorded by the Deshler American Legion Post #316.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. prior to the service.  A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the services at the Deshler American Legion Post.

The family suggests memorials to Wood Haven Health Care Center.

Memories and messages can be shared at www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com

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