Fred Brooks, 90, died Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains in Dodge City. He was born on October 24, 1920, at Washington, D.C. the son of Clay Evan and Ethelyn (Higgins) Brooks. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Washington D.C. and University of Kansas in 1950, with a B.S. in Journalism. Mr. Brooks served in the U.S. Navy during WW II from 1942 thru 1946. On October 24, 1942, he married Normazee "Robin" Brent of Osborne. Fred later married Gwen Francis Wilson on February 4, 1995. She survives.

In 1950, he worked for the Hutchinson News and later for the Salina Journal where he became the Sunday Editor in 1952. In 1959, Mr. Brooks returned to the Hutchinson News as news editor and was named the managing editor in 1965. In 1970, Fred was named editor and publisher of the Garden City Telegram, retiring on January 17, 1987. During his 17 years, the Telegram won several Kansas Press Association Awards for general excellence. During Fred's retirement, he worked two years as a writing coach for Harris Enterprises Inc. and visited eight newspapers periodically to hold clinics. Fred traveled to Russia and Costa Rica as a represenative of the Garden City Sister Cities committee. Other travels for the Hutchinson News took him to Europe and Alaska.

While in Garden City, he served as a member of the Finney County United Way board. Mr. Brooks was president of the Clifford R. Hope foundation and served 13 years as chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Fred was chairman of the Garden City Electrical Board from 1974 to 1982 and President of the Southwest Kansas Editorial Association. He was a member of the Citizens Committee to recommend a site for a new city hall and on the Facilities Committee in 1994 which recommended construction of two new fifth-sixth grade centers. Other Garden City memberships include: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chamber of Commerce board of directors, YMCA Board, St. Catherine Hospital Advisory Board, and the Garden City High School Office Education Advisory Board. In Dodge City, he was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Moose Lodge, Lions Club, the High Plains Natural History Society, Service Corps of Retired Executives, Positive Connection, Salvation Army, Press Club, United Way, and a former member of St. Cornelius Episcopal Church.

Survivors include his wife, Gwen Wilson Brooks of Dodge City; one son, Jeffrey Brooks and wife Mary of Kopperl, Texas; granddaughters, Renee McKinney and husband Craig, Shelly Howard and husband Steve, and Amanda Fishback; one grandson, Bobby Votruba and wife Amy; Great grandchildren, Brandy Pollifrone and husband Scott, Tiffany McKinney, Michael McKinney, Robin Votruba, Zack and Zane Howard, and Brittany and Zachary Fishback; great great grandchildren, Joseph and Jacob Pollifrone, and Malia and Brayden Fishback; four step children, nine step grandchildren, and two step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Robin, his daughter Dayna Winfrey and a brother Evans Brooks.

Funeral Service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Dodge City on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Lance Carrithers and Father Dennis Zimmerman presiding. Burial will follow at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery in Ft. Dodge. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Thursday, November 11, 2010 from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. Memorials can be made to the charity of the donors choice or First United Methodist Church both in care of Swaim Funeral Home - 1901 Sixth Ave - Dodge City, KS 67801. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.