Farris Brookman
1922-2018
Farris Brookman was born October 18, 1922 to Otis and Ruby (Kellison) Brookman on the family farm near Vinson (Harmon County), OK. He passed away on April 25, 2018. He is survived by his wife Betty (Ables); sister Betty Prock of Sulfur Springs, TX; son Steve and his wife Gail; daughter Mary Ann and her husband Rory Rosenbalm; four grandchildren, David, Philip, Logan, and Lacy; and seven great-grandchildren. Farris graduated from Ron High School, a consolidated school north of Hollis, and was drafted into the army almost immediately after graduation. He was a young farm boy about to see the world. Farris loved his family and helped them endure the "Great Depression", the "Dust Bowl Days" and a journey as "Okies" to California to seek work. Farris spent 3 ½ years in the army. He trained in the U.S. for several months before shipping out to Europe. He endured lots of fighting during WWII and lost many buddies. When the war ended he came home and spent a year helping his folks on the farm. In 1946 he enrolled in watch-making school at Southwestern College in Weatherford, OK. He worked as a watchmaker in Frederick and Cordell. In 1950, Farris married Betty in Cordell, OK. He then decided to go back to college where he got an education degree in math and history. Farris taught math at Sickles High School. Then he moved to Clinton and became a principal in Bessie, OK. He worked on his administrator's degree and graduated from Oklahoma University in 1955. That same year, he was baptized by Church of Christ minister Lester Stowe. Farris went on to become the superintendent at Manitou and later the superintendent at Butler, OK where he worked on many building projects, taught Bible classes, and served on numerous committees. In 1967, he moved his family to Clinton and served as principal of Nance Elementary School. He spent 33 years in education and later worked in real estate. Farris and Betty moved to Edmond, OK in 2003. Farris was a good storyteller. He often shared stories about the Great Depression, school, WWII, fishing, golf, family, and his experiences being carried by a tornado. He also loved talking about church and Heaven. Farris was a man of prayer and his goal was to help his children and grandchilden go to Heaven. He loved the Lord and his family, and he dearly loved his wife Betty.
The family will greet friends 5-7 PM Sunday, April 29th at Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond, OK. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Monday, April 30th at the Memorial Rd. Church of Christ in Edmond, OK. Memorial gifts may be made to the Westview Boys Home in Hollis, Ok. To share a memory or condolence, please visit matthewsfuneralhome.com.