Donald "Don" "Cowboy" Fredrick Brooks Jr.

Donald “Don” Fredrick Brooks Jr., 66, of Peru passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne surrounded by his loving family.  He was a loving and caring husband, step father, brother, and friend. He also proudly served our country in the Army/National Guard.

He was born on March 31, 1957 in Peru, Indiana to the late Donald Fredrick Brooks Sr. and Sylvia Lee (Stapleton) Brooks. Don married Melody Elkins on July 21, 2000.

Don was employed by Old Tucson Studios when he lived in Arizona working as a maintenance man and a stuntman for the westerns produced there. Don enjoyed pow-wows on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in Tucson, Arizona, and was an avid Nascar fan, rooting for Dale Earnhardt Sr. & Jr. Don also enjoyed playing Xbox with his friends, telling them all to “Press that big o’le A”. He got his nickname of “Cowboy” from his love of horses and cattle. The only thing surpassing his love for horses was his love for his friends and family.

In addition to his wife, Don is survived by his brothers: Harry Brooks, Charles (Kim) Myers, Rayan “Ed” Farris, and Jamie (Brandie) Rayne. His sisters Kathey (Nelson) Miller and Elizabeth Sheperd Myers. His children Cory Brooks, Julie (Ken) Gries, Tabitha Turner (Charles Moore), and Christopher Winn. And his 9 grandchildren; Zack Winn, Mackenzie Winn, Beth Splatt, Isabelle Winn, Alisah Truax, Bryce Truax, Ashley Gries, Makayla Turner, and Teeia Turner.

A celebration of life will be held on June 10, 2023 from 12pm to 4pm at the Gries residence, 2985 S. Country Rd. 850 E. Walton, Indiana 46994. Internment will take place at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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