Tommy Gene Brooks, age 66, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Saturday evening, October 14, 2023, at his home surrounded by all the people he loved.

      He was born December 20, 1956, in Effingham, the son of Pat and Betty (Pugh) Brooks.  He was united in marriage to Regina Thompson on May 1, 1979, in Clay City, and together they have shared 44 wedding anniversaries.

      Tom had worked at the sawmill and in the oil fields in his early career and later worked as a Foreman for Engineered Fluid.  He and Gina enjoyed attending classic rock-n-roll concerts, auctions, and motorcycle rallies, riding motorcycles, and driving the circle to look for deer.  Tom loved sports on all levels and enjoyed watching his grandkids sporting events.  He was a fan of all Chicago teams, excluding the White Sox, and was especially fond of “Da Bears.”   

      He is survived by his wife: Gina Brooks of Clay City; 3 daughters: Sierra (Chris) Young of Flora, Athena (Tom) Gordon of Xenia, and Mackenzie Stone of Carlyle; grandchildren: Hayden, Keegan, and Zander Young, Ethan Gossett, Logan Smith, Trevin (Tiffanae) Smith, Annie Gordon, Keigan Samples, Brooksy, Bailey, and Briar Bray, and Macey Brooks; great-grandchildren: Lyric Bray, Carter Allen, Sophia and Emmett Rainey, Bristol, Onyx, and Sapphire Rose, Layton Smith, and another to arrive in the coming year; siblings: Eva Hostettler of Ingraham, Patsy Gothard of Champaign, Lee Kessler of Vandalia, Randy Brooks of Olney, and Jim Brooks of Olney; a sister-in-law: Kathy Brooks of Ingraham; adopted family: Sonny Dale Carpenter of Clay City, Donna Jo Carpenter of Clay City, and Debra (Mark) Phillips of Louisville; a special cousin “Little” Bill Pugh; a host of nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog Sky.

      He was preceded in death by his parents: Betty and Pat Brooks; a brother: Ray Brooks; a sister: Donna Jean Brooks; son-in-law: Matt Stone; nephew: Bryon Williams; mother and father-in-law: Marge and R.L. Thompson; adopted parents: Gene and Shirley Carpenter; and a sister-in-law: Connie Brooks-Young.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday evening at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com