Today's Featured Biography

 
John Brooks

After graduating from CHS I attended SMS for a couple of years while working the night shift at the old Silver Saddle Motel on N. Glenstone. I married during that time and worked at McBee Bindery.I sought a job where layoffs were all but non-existent and put in an application with the Springfield Police Department (where my Father was still working as a Traffic Cop . . . some of you might remember him . . . I know that Jim Pretti did!!) I was blessed with three sons, John,Greg,and Jeff. While employed at the SPD, I returned to school, this time at Drury College, and eventually earned my BA degree in Criminal Justice. A few years later, I earned my MS in Criminal Justice Administration from Central Missouri State College. A short time later I was accepted as an adjunct professor at Drury College and taught in the Behavioral Science Department, teaching evening classes for about 12 years.
I was blessed with my daughter, Julie in my second marriage. Julie graduation from Drury University, majoring in English Literature and works for Jack Henry and Associates. Son John Jr. graduated from Drury, then later received his MS degree from SMSU.He currently is Human Resources director at a University in Atlanta. John is married, and he and his wife, Penny live in Atlanta. John is an HR consultant, Penny works for the State Greg is married and has blessed me with three grandchildren. His wife, Annette counsels soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Son, Jeff is a glass installer and he and his wife, Carrie, have blessed me with two grandchildren. In June, 2014 I married the love of my life, Rebecca, and blended our families with mine and her three daughters and six granddaughters.
My professional focus has been in the field of Criminal Justice, all in Spfld., where I worked through the ranks and retired as a Lieutenant. While working as a Lieutenant, the Department Head position of Emergency Communications Director came open and I was invited to apply and, subsequently, was accepted for that position. I directed the operations of Police-Fire dispatch and 9-1-1 operations for 10+ years and retired in 2001. Since then I have done those things I like to do but had put off. I have been active in my church, where I am ordained as an Evangelist and I have had the privilege of performing marriage cermonies for each of my three sons and baptised my daughter. It just doesn't get better than that!!
Presently, I continue pursue a multitude of interest. My brother Jim (CHS class of 1961)and I built an earth home on property I own in St. Clair County along the Big Sac River and we have put in four 500 foot(I soon realized . . after driving 150 fence posts, that this amounts to 1/2 mile !!) rows of thornless blackberries. We like to think of ourselves as "gentleman" farmers. (We both restored a couple of vintage tractors in the last few years) As a sidelight, Jim retired as Lt. Colonel of the Missouri State Highway Patrol after a distinguished career there and moved back to Spfd.
I attend the bi-monthly breakfast with fellow CHS grads at Cedars (some of those guys are showing their age, tsk, tsk.)
My grandchildren,(ages 13-22) Tristan,Zach,McKenna, Gabriel, & Ahley drop in every now and then.

Life is good!! And if you have taken the time to read all of this, you were/are a good friend that I would love to hear from again . . . or you just have too much time on your hands. Peace, John B.

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