Funeral Services for Mr. Thomas Raymond Brooks will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Collins Methodist Church. Mr. Brooks, age 78, passed away peacefully at home in Collins on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Reverend Tim Atwood and Reverend David Shumaker will officiate. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

Wade Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Avery Burlingham, Cooper Brooks, Lee Brooks, Steven Brooks, Jason Sullivan, and Jacob Thornton.

Thomas Raymond Brooks was born on January 7, 1948, in Hattiesburg  to Gaston Wheeler Brooks and Hazel Lois Norris Brooks. Mr. Brooks had an extensive career in the United States Army, retiring as Command Sergeant Major in 1998, after 31 years of service. He began his service in 1967, serving in the artillery, and later in the U.S Army Recruiting Command. As Command Sergeant Major of Recruit Command, Mr. Brooks was instrumental in transitioning the Army from a draft-based service to an All-Volunteer Army. His ideas and innovative plans most certainly played a role in the U.S. Army's readiness and success, continuing even today.

Mr. Brooks was a published author and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Brooks was an active member of the Collins Methodist Church, where he was faithful to attend Sunday School and served on various committees.

Mr. Brooks was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gaston and Hazel Brooks, and 4 brothers, Wheeler Brooks, Billy Brooks, Royce Brooks, and Rayford Brooks.

Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wanda Brooks of Collins; his daughter, Johanna Brooks Burlingham of Moorpark, CA; his son, Kevin Brooks and his wife Kim of Allen, TX; son-in-law, Richard Burlingham of Moorpark, CA; 4 grandchildren, Olivia Burlingham, Avery Burlingham, Ashley Brooks, and Cooper Brooks; and a brother, Kenneth Brooks and his wife Joanne of Colorado Springs CO; as well as a host of beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

The visitation will be Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 1:30pm until service time at the Collins Methodist Church.