Mr. Herman O. Brooks

February 3, 1934 - December 2, 2017

LAKELAND - Mr. Herman O Brooks was born in the Tillman community near Fort Meade, FL, on February 3, 1934, to David and Nannie Lou Thomas Brooks. Herman lived in the Fort Meade area the first 34 years of his life, attending school there, working for Barnett's filling station; then worked in the nursery/landscaping business for approximately 11 years.     Herman married June Fields on July 23, 1954.  Three daughters were born to this union: Judy, Connie, and Sandra.     In 1968, Herman moved his family to Lakeland.  Eventually he left the nursery/landscaping business to work in maintenance at the Polk County Association for Handicapped Citizens (now called Alliance for Progress), a position he held for almost 34 years, retiring in 2005.     Herman was a life-long member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, first in Fort Meade and then in Lakeland.  His faith and trust in God increased as he got older and it was tested as he faced more and more health issues.     Herman was a talented handyman with a knack for seeing potential in cast-off wood, metal and such.  Through the years he built various items for use around his property and had plans for other projects he wanted to do when he felt better.  He loved working with plants and through the years he had big gardens, flower beds, a small orange grove plus other kinds of fruit trees, nut trees, and grape vines.  From all these he often gave away and sold produce at his driveway stand.  He was used to working long and hard all his life, so it was difficult for Herman these last few years to not be able to get outside and enjoy doing the things that he enjoyed.     Herman's first wife, June, passed away January 9, 1986.  In 1990 he met Arliss Schroedermeier Huff and they got married on August 29, 1991 in Loveland, CO.  They enjoyed sharing many experiences over 26 years.  Herman also loved his family and enjoyed having them call and come for a visit as often as possible.     Herman was preceded in death by his parents; first wife June; brothers Jack, Harold, and Earl; sisters Betty O'Steen and Lucy Hartwein; son-in-law Phillip Peatross; as well as other extended family members.       Survivors include his wife, Arliss; daughters, Judy Brooks, Connie (Tracy) Takemoto, and Sandra Peatross; nine granddaughters and great-granddaughters, Leah (Robert) Reed, Tysha Brown, Missy (Brian) Smith, Jessica Lokey, Amandra Peatross (fiancé Jared Maltbe), Jaina Peatross, Jennifer Peatross, Madison Reed, and Charlie Smith; grandsons, Tyde and Tevyn Takemoto; sister, Faye Garcia; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.     Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m., Sunday, December 10, 2017 at the Lakeland Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1435 Gilmore Ave., Lakeland, FL.  A private family burial will take place in New Hope Cemetery near Fort Meade, where he awaits the call of Jesus at the Second Coming.  Blessed be his memory.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Fort Meade Seventh-Day Adventist Church or to the Lakeland Seventh-Day Adventist church.     Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL