Douglas Churchill Brookings

Douglas Churchill Brookings was born on February 20, 1953, to Jessie Churchill Brookings and Bertie Lee (Arinwine) Brookings. He was their one and only child.

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Douglas attended Northeast High School and eventually transferred to St. Johns Academy in Winfield, Kansas, where he graduated with the Class of 1971. He was a standout star athlete in baseball, basketball, soccer, and track. Douglas continued his athletic career playing baseball at Langston University. While at Langston, he met his future wife, Aretas “Sugar Lump” (Davis) Brookings.

After graduating from Langston with a degree in Sociology, he began a public service career as an Assistant Director with the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City. He later spent four years as Social Worker for the Department of Human Services and twenty-plus years as a Juvenile Probation and Parole officer with the Office of Juvenile Affairs. He positively impacted the lives of numerous families and at-risk youths.

Douglas and Aretas had two children, Shbrone and Tabitha Brookings. His kids were the joy of his life. In addition to being a loving father, he was a Christian, an ordained minister, and a member of Faith, Hope, & Love Missionary Baptist Church, which his lifelong friend, Wayne Dallas, pastors. He loved sports, especially soccer, and golf. Douglas possessed a particular passion for sideline coaching his children, grandchildren, and anyone who needed a little guidance. He spent a lot of time reading biblical literature and relaxing on the couch watching documentaries and sporting events in his golden years.

Douglas is survived by two children, Shbrone and Tabitha; one daughter-in-law, Jami; eight grandchildren, Jasmine, Malia, Syd, Nathan, Sarah, Brighten, Ka’Niya, and Khalil; one granddaughter-in-law, Mahala; one great-grandchild, Hazel; three cousins, Donnie, Alice, and Lilly; and the entire Davis family from Muskogee, Oklahoma.

He loved his family, his Lord, and brought enlightenment to those who got the opportunity to know him. He will be missed, but not forgotten.