Major General Ronald Edward Brooks

Major General Ronald E. Brooks, 80, died peacefully in his home with his family on Thursday, March 22nd. He was the last Commanding General of Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. The City of Lawrence Government Center is named in his honor.

Ron was born in eastern Tennessee in the town of Rogersville on September 12, 1937.

A husband, father and grandfather, he lived a life of duty, honor, and sacrifice for others and his country. Ron and his wife Drusilla (Muse) Brooks were married for 60 years, residents of Lawrence, and members of Sunnyside Road Baptist Church.

Ron Brooks graduated from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) having attended on a football scholarship. He was honored and named “Mr. ETSU” his senior year, and upon graduation was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He later received an MBA at Butler University.

The son of a farmer, Ron loved growing vegetables and sharing them with friends and family. He liked telling stories about hunting and fishing trips, his latest military field exercise, or his largest tomatoes. But most of all, he enjoyed sharing stories about winning important battles on policy debates and strategic decisions that benefited the lives of soldiers.

General Brooks’ Army career began as an Infantry Officer at Fort Benning, GA and he later joined the Army’s Adjutant General’s Corps. Brooks served two tours of duty in Vietnam. During his career he also served at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Fort Rucker, AL, Fort Harrison, IN, Fort Leavenworth, KS, the US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, as well as in Washington D.C. and Germany.

He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1985 and subsequently served in a series of senior leadership roles developing and implementing critical wartime personnel management capabilities and essential support services for soldiers. In 1989, he was promoted to Major General and assumed duties as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army.

His military career culminated as the Commanding General, US Army Soldier Support Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN; a post he took great pride in having served there multiple times throughout his career. In this capacity Brooks’ instrumental leadership and direction enabled mobilization successes during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield.

General Brooks ended his last tour of active duty as the driving force behind the successful transition of Fort Harrison from an active duty Army post to a thriving civilian community. This enormous achievement spurred economic growth for the community of Lawrence, fostered the establishment and growth of residing US Army Reserve and Indiana National Guard units, and secured recreation and support services for military reservists, national guardsmen, military retirees and the local community.

After retiring from the military he continued to serve veterans in the National Headquarters of the American Legion as Executive Director, American Legion Marketing Services Group.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Helen (Lee) Brooks; brothers Ralph Brooks, Jim Brooks, and Dan Brooks; sisters, Virginia Lawson, Lillian Rogers; father and mother-in-law, Roland and Dorothy Muse.

He is survived by his wife, Drusilla (Muse) Brooks; sons, Richard (Katie), Mark (Jill), and Robert; grandchildren: Jamie, Cassie, Jane, and Max.

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 26th at The Garrison (Officer’s Club) on Fort Harrison, 6002 N. Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216. Services will be held the following day at Fort Harrison at 10 AM on Tuesday, March 27th at Ivy Tech Community College – Lawrence Campus/East Entrance, 9301 E. 59th St, Indianapolis, IN 46216.

Tennessee Services later in the week:  The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 31^st at Christian-Sells Funeral Home, 1520 E Main St, Rogersville, TN 37857.  Graveside services will immediately follow at McKinney Cemetery, 10 Stamp St, Rogersville, TN 37857.

Memorial donations may be made in Ronald’s name to the Fisher House at www.fisherhouse.org or to the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation  www.hvafofindiana.org.

https://www.theindychannel.com/news/photos-maj-gen-ronald-brooks-remembered-in-lawrence#id0