"Norman Brooks was a Renaissance Man. He had so many interests but, to me, perhaps his greatest interest was in learning about people and kids. It was a great pleasure and honor to work with Norman for many years during the LITES Project and other educational pursuits in Oakland. It was certainly a definitive point in my career. What I loved most was that being with Norman also helped me find a stronger voice and develop personally into a better person. Norman helped give me tools to do that in a profoundly gentle way. I will always remember his laugh and his positivity: "yeeeesssss!" My heartfelt sympathy on your loss."
In loving memory of
Norman Brooks
December 3, 1938 - March 4, 2020
NORMAN B. BROOKS JR.
12/3/1938 - 3/4/2020
Norman Boyd Brooks Jr. was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, December 3, 1938
to Synia Mae Hall Brooks and Norman Boyd Brooks, Sr. He was the first
of two sons, followed by his brother, Gilbert. Norman Jr.'s parents met at Langston University and Norman Sr. had dreams of making it big as a singer and an actor. The family moved to Los Angeles when Norman Jr. was six years old.
As a young boy in Los Angeles, Norman was filled with curiosity and he loved spending time exploring the outdoors. Norman attended Manual Arts High School and developed a passion for studying hard, especially French. He also had an affinity for music. He sang in a church choir and in an a cappella group with some of his buddies who had formed a club named the "Adulicians". Norman graduated high school and attended Cal State University, Los Angeles, where he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. While in college, Norman met Barbara and they married two years later, June 18, 1961. Norman earned a Baccalaureate in Education and began teaching the next semester. However, he always dreamed of traveling the world and even living in another country.
Barbara got a job with Trans World Airlines,(TWA) and urged Norman to apply there when a special opportunity arose. Norman learned of a new position and he applied. He became the first black Account Executive at TWA, in San Francisco. Norman and Barbara moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco beginning their travels around the world. In 1967, they started their family of three sons, Marc Everett was born. When Marc was almost two years old, the family moved to another country. Norman applied and was selected to be Manager, Marketing Development Training for Saudi Arabian Airlines in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 1971, Todd Alayyan was born and in 1972, Scott Norman was born. Later that summer, the family moved to Silver Springs, Maryland for Norman to earn a Masters in Adult Education and Human Resource Development at George Washington University. After two years Norman graduated, and the family left Silver Springs, Maryland to move back to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Norman drew a substantial map of travels to eastern, northern, southern, western, and middle Africa, Europe, Scandinavia, Spain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Philippines, Belize, and Mexico.
Norman loved tackling impossible challenges, particularly in training and
development. Next move was back home to Oakland, California for the two younger sons' secondary education. Norman had several positions with TWA, at the San Francisco airport until TWA was bought by American. Norman then returned to teaching and as a Case Manager in Oakland Public Schools. He also worked as adjunct instructor at College of Alameda, Holy Names College, and San Francisco State University. For seven years, every summer, "Uncle Norman" taught our families' offspring science for six days in an Oakland Park with cabins. The children explored nature, learned to identify all critters, went on field trips to Chabot Space and Science Center, UCB Science Center, Alameda Beach, Lake Temescal, and museums in San Francisco.
By a divine plan, Norman's last job was with Faith Network, a non profit organization in Oakland, (now named, Children Rising). Norman was named Director, Science Horizons which would He was able to collaborate with Oakland Public Schools to develop specific science projects that complemented the school curriculum. This identified a definite need for Faith Network's continuous support. Norman retired after 11 years there as Director of Science Horizons, developing and introducing unforgettable science enrichment projects. Faith Network, led by its founder, Randy Roth, built many bridges of support to Oakland schools and soon partnered with Mission Springs Outdoor Education (MSOE). Together they created a "star" program, a 3-day science camping trip for 5th and 6th graders, chaperoned by teachers and parents, to Mission Springs Outdoor Education campsite. This exciting trip to the Santa Cruz mountains continues to welcome new students each year. Norman and Barbara traveled there and had a camping reunion in February 2020.
Most notably, Norman was an enthusiastic learner and teacher, a science curriculum expert and a teacher's teacher. His hobbies were conversing in Arabic, French, and Spanish; birding, teaching the butterfly life cycle, gardening, and training eight family dogs.
Norman is survived by his wife Barbara Martin Brooks; three sons and daughters-in-law: Marc (Theresa); Todd (Jean); and Scott (Kara). Grandchildren: Christiana Brooks-Norris, Marc Brooks, Kenan Brooks, Clay Brooks, Nyah Brooks, Jazmin Brooks, Maya Brooks, Adrienne Cox-Smiley, and Rodney Cox (Courtney). Brothers-in-law: Kevin Martin, Vincent Martin (Lisa); sisters-in-law: Dana Martin; Debbie Martin; and Hani Shafran-Brooks; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephews, and loving friends.
Norman was predeceased by his parents and brother.
Norman's Sunset was three months before the 60th anniversary.