Tom Brooks
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 6 - February 21, 2008
Tom Brooks, Tom the Barber of Gypsum, passed away Dec. 17 at the Veteran's Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. He was 59 years old.
Tom grew up on the east coast and was the oldest of five children. He joined the Navy on the week of his 17th birthday and served two tours in Vietnam. He was award the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campton Medal with Device, and Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star.
Tom came to the valley in the 1990s. He lived on the Colorado River Road, where he raised chickens, geese, and turkeys. He went to school and became a licensed barber. In 1995, he opened Tom's Barber Shop on Railroad Avenue in Gypsum, which he later moved to the Gypsum Creek Center. While trying to make ends meet in his small shop, he delivered newspapers for the Vail Daily, cleaned for Slifer Management, and moved furniture for Columbine Movers. Several years ago, Tom moved from the area, relocating to Texas.
Tom was an active member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church and a founding member of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus. He loved the outdoors, he loved to sing and dance, and he loved to laugh out loud. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by friends and family.
Tom is survived by his sisters, Catherine Gravenor and Mary Anne Rollans; his brother, Joseph Brooks, and his newphew, Christopher Brooks.
