John Brooks

John Miller Brooks, 89, of Little Rock, passed away July 15, 2012. John began his long work career at age 8, working at the White City Pool where he earned $1 per week. He later became a lifeguard and taught servicemen how to swim while serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1941-1944. In 1947, John married Mary Louise Robken and started the first organized window cleaning company in Little Rock, A-1 Window Cleaning Company, which he continued until 1971. During this time, he began Brooks Swim School which operated from 1963-1975. He also began operating Brooks Pool Company, a swimming pool construction company, in 1969. John was actively involved in the day to day operations of Brooks Pools until 2000 when his sons took over the business. One of his grandsons still operates Brooks Pool Company today.
John's many years of devotion to all aspects of the sport of swimming were recognized when he was among the first inductees into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame in 1986. In addition to swimming, he was also passionate about dog training. He traveled all over the country and was always known for having one of the most competitive dogs in the United States. In 2002, at the age of 79, he won the title of National Champion of Dog Obedience.
John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise (Lu Lu); his children, Tish (Al) Weiner of Houston, Arkansas, Clyde (Marcie) Brooks of Little Rock, Layne (Pat) Brett of Virginia Beach, Virginia and John (Cambre) Brooks of Fayetteville; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
We will celebrate his life on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Fox Ridge (third floor), 23101 Chenal Valley Drive, from 2-4 p.m. The gathering will be informal.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Little Rock Dog Training Club, P.O. Box 56694, Little Rock, AR 72215.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. John's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.