Obituary of Brookins, Retired, TSgt Richard Frederick "Fred"

TSgt Richard F. "Fred" Brookins, Retired of Dallas, Texas known as “Fred” or “Freddie”, was born in Terrell, Texas November 4, 1933.  The beloved husband, father and grandfather was 83 at the time of his passing on Friday, July 7, 2017.   All four of his children were able to visit and give him their love just before his passing. Fred grew up in Wills Point, Texas. He graduated from Wills Point High School in 1952 and moved to Dallas where he met and fell in love with Darlene Hancock. They married December 10, 1952 and would have celebrated 65 years of marriage this December. In January 1954, with their first baby on the way, Fred joined the Air Force. Audrey was born in June 1954 and Fred was sent to Japan less than one month later for an 18-month tour.  He later stated that it was one of the hardest things he ever had to do – leave his love and newborn – to go overseas. During his subsequent 20-year Air Force career, he would be assigned to “unaccompanied” overseas tours on numerous occasions. Fred and Darlene had 4 children – Audrey, Robert, Rusty and Jeanette, born in 1954, ‘57, ‘60 & ‘63.  Leaving his family often was hard on both him and wife, Darlene. During his career, Fred earned numerous medals and awards, most notably the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service from 1967-1970 at a small American “detachment” located on a British Royal Air Force Base in Germany at the height of the Vietnam war. His field was Communications (decrypting messages, etc.) and actually worked in a Vault during these three years. Fred retired from active duty in January 1974 after 20 years of service. He subsequently served 10 more years in the Air Force Reserves. Fred will always be remembered as being a very giving man. He never had much, but he would share it with anyone.  While stationed in Germany, all Single GIs were invited to our Thanksgiving Dinners, making it a crowd.  His hobbies included Fishing, Softball and Bowling during his career and Golf in his retirement. Fred was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his Father, Winfred Brookins, his mother, Vanzora Teague Brookins Jamieson of Wills Point, Texas, his older sister, Wyndoleen Lemley and younger brother, Jerry Brookins who just passed in October 2016. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Darlene, daughter Audrey (and Jon) Early, sons Robert and Rusty and youngest daughter Jeanette; and four grandchildren: Ioanna Carrasco, Jessica (and Matthew) Cadwallader, Jonathan (and Nicole) Early, and Chris (and Laren) Brookins.  He also left two adored great-grandchildren, Luke and Anna Cadwallader.  All reside in the DFW Metroplex except Chris in Tyler. We are so grateful to have shared in his life and he will be remembered fondly. Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.