Leslie
Leslie (Les) M. Brooks Sr.
Leslie (Les) M. Brooks Sr. died after a lengthy illness on October 15, 2011 at Brethren Village at the age of 92, entering the presence of his Savior, who he loved and served for 66 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Isabel A. Anderson Brooks, also 92. They lived together at Brethren Village beginning in April, 2006.
Les attended West Philadelphia High School, Class of 1937, and Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. His career began with 38 years at Bell Telephone of PA, with the last 20+ years in the Marketing Dept. of the Yellow Pages division. Les transitioned to self-employment early in 1976, retiring from Bell Telephone into the companies which he founded, Valley Forge Tours and American Heritage Tours. The former was the first official tour service at Valley Forge National Park, where both Les and Isabel served the public with great dedication in the years surrounding our nation’s Bicentennial. After selling the tour businesses in 1978, Les consulted with Volt Technical Sciences, applying the Yellow Pages layout rules (he authored years before) in the new digital format.
Les was a 7-year veteran, serving on both WWII and the Korean Conflict as an intelligence officer. He achieved the rank of captain while serving 2 years in the US Army and then 5 years in the US Air Force.
Les Brooks served the dramatic growth of greater King of Prussia in several capacities. In the early 1960s, he served as president of the Valley Forge Acres Civic Association. Les followed that in the role of president of the Upper Merion Civic Council. He then served on the Valley Forge Tourist Bureau. In that capacity as well as in the Tours, Les worked to boost tourism in King of Prussia and Valley Forge, whose history he spoke of with both knowledge and passion.
Of greater passion to Les, was his serving as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. This joyful responsibility spanned ~30 years—first, at Tenth Pres. Church in Philadelphia, later at Calvary Pres. Church in Willow Grove, PA. At Tenth Church, Les was called on in 1975 to organize/administrate the first Philadelphia Conference of Reformed Theology which continues today.
In addition to his devoted wife Isabel, Les is survived by their daughters, Carol E. Lane of Dacula, GA and Suzanne E, wife of Clark Zartman of Antwerp, OH and by their son, Leslie (Lee) M., Jr., husband of Fagel Brooks, of Lancaster, PA. Les and Isabel have 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Les, along with Isabel, always demonstrated the greatest delight in each of their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, William, Berkley, Joseph and Robert Brooks.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service in the Chapel of Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 4:00 P.M. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. Private interment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.
To send an on-line condolence, please visit:
www.DebordSnyder.com
Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home
717-394-4097
Visitation Date: 10/22/2011
Visitation Time: immediately following service
Service Date: 10/22/11
Service Time: 4:00 P.M.
Les attended West Philadelphia High School, Class of 1937, and Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. His career began with 38 years at Bell Telephone of PA, with the last 20+ years in the Marketing Dept. of the Yellow Pages division. Les transitioned to self-employment early in 1976, retiring from Bell Telephone into the companies which he founded, Valley Forge Tours and American Heritage Tours. The former was the first official tour service at Valley Forge National Park, where both Les and Isabel served the public with great dedication in the years surrounding our nation’s Bicentennial. After selling the tour businesses in 1978, Les consulted with Volt Technical Sciences, applying the Yellow Pages layout rules (he authored years before) in the new digital format.
Les was a 7-year veteran, serving on both WWII and the Korean Conflict as an intelligence officer. He achieved the rank of captain while serving 2 years in the US Army and then 5 years in the US Air Force.
Les Brooks served the dramatic growth of greater King of Prussia in several capacities. In the early 1960s, he served as president of the Valley Forge Acres Civic Association. Les followed that in the role of president of the Upper Merion Civic Council. He then served on the Valley Forge Tourist Bureau. In that capacity as well as in the Tours, Les worked to boost tourism in King of Prussia and Valley Forge, whose history he spoke of with both knowledge and passion.
Of greater passion to Les, was his serving as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. This joyful responsibility spanned ~30 years—first, at Tenth Pres. Church in Philadelphia, later at Calvary Pres. Church in Willow Grove, PA. At Tenth Church, Les was called on in 1975 to organize/administrate the first Philadelphia Conference of Reformed Theology which continues today.
In addition to his devoted wife Isabel, Les is survived by their daughters, Carol E. Lane of Dacula, GA and Suzanne E, wife of Clark Zartman of Antwerp, OH and by their son, Leslie (Lee) M., Jr., husband of Fagel Brooks, of Lancaster, PA. Les and Isabel have 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Les, along with Isabel, always demonstrated the greatest delight in each of their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four brothers, William, Berkley, Joseph and Robert Brooks.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service in the Chapel of Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 4:00 P.M. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. Private interment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.
To send an on-line condolence, please visit:
www.DebordSnyder.com
Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home
717-394-4097
Visitation Date: 10/22/2011
Visitation Time: immediately following service
Service Date: 10/22/11
Service Time: 4:00 P.M.
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