Dan Lawrence Brooks, Jr

Dan L. Brooks, Jr., 76, of Albany, GA, died May 26, 2014 at his residence. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Mathews Funeral Home. Ross Powell will officiate and Edgar Campbell will give the eulogy.

A native of Albany, GA, born to the late Dan L. Brooks, Sr. and Dora Carter Brooks in 1938, he graduated from Albany High School in 1956 and attended Emory University and Georgia State University, majoring in business administration.

Mr. Brooks served in the United States Air Force from 1960 and was on active duty until 1965. He served as a meteorologist both stateside and in Europe.

In 1967, Mr. Brooks married Patricia Ann Fowler whose parents were Gleason and Mary Lee Fowler. Mr. Brooks entered the real estate profession in 1966 and became an associate with Albany Realty Company and had a very cordial relationship with that company and its owner, C. Dan Blackshear, one his closest friends.

In 1972 he opened a new firm, Brooks-Williams and Associates with Hubert Williams. Two years later after selling his interest to Williams, he opened and ran Dan Brooks Realty, Inc. for a number of years until retiring from the real estate brokerage business and founding the Southeastern School of Real Estate with real estate attorney, C. Norman Spence and taught real estate courses for over thirty years until his retirement in 2007.

Mr. Brooks served as president of the Albany Board of Realtors and Governor of the Georgia Realtors Institute. He was instrumental in getting The Georgia Real Estate License Law amended in 1972 which added much more protection to members of the public against unscrupulous licensees. He was also instrumental in founding Albany's first multiple listing service, which made cooperation between broker beneficial to brokers and their clients.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Mona Faye Brooks Lewis. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Fowler Brooks of Albany, GA, brothers-in-law, Eli Lewis, Robert (Virginia) Fowler, Timothy (Karen) Fowler; sisters-in-law, Marie F. Howe and Jane F. Rhodes, nephews, Dana Lewis, Courtney Howe, Travis Fowler and Trent Fowler, nieces, Mona L. Gamble, Mitzi Lewis, Deborah F. Hempling, Kaye F. Conterato, Lisa H. Hendrix, Leigh R. Singletary, Leslie R. Holbrook, Tricia F. Suttles, Lenea Howe, Karen Chartier and many great-nieces and nephews.

The family is at the residence of Jane F. Rhodes, 1813 Northwood Drive, Albany, GA, 31721.

The family will receive friends Wednesday one hour before the service at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make contributions to The Salvation Army, 300 W. 2nd Ave., Albany, GA 31701, Willson Hospice House, 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA, 31707 or to your favorite charity.