Herbert Thomas "Tom" Brooks Jr. 84, of Collierville, Tennessee, passed away October 31, 2012 following a short illness.  Tom was a dedicated businessman and elected official of his adopted hometown Collierville, where he served in community leadership roles for more than 50 years. 

Tom was born in San Marino, California and he and his beloved wife, the late Kelsey Jones Brooks, met while attending University of Tennessee at Knoxville and they married in 1951.  Tom graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, in 1951 and from the College of Pharmacy in 1953.  Tom owned Brooks' Pharmacy on the historic town square for many years and he later purchased Walgreen's and Super D franchises before retiring in 1997.  He was a founder of The Collierville Coffee Club, which met in his pharmacy for over 50 years and which still continues to meet at 8 a.m. each weekday.  The group of devoted male friends recently celebrated Tom's 84th birthday with coffee and cake.

Tom was a commissioner and elected official of Collierville from 1959-1999.  His influence helped shape the development of area schools while serving as a member of the Shelby County Board of Education for eight years.  In 1980, he was a founding member of Collierville Savings & Loan, now BankTennessee.  He also served on and chaired the Shelby County Tax Equalization Board for 20 years and subsequently served on the Tennessee Board of Equalization.  Tom was a member of the Collierville Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow.  He was a long time member of the Collierville United Methodist Church, where he served on numerous committees.  Tom was a recognized and involved volunteer with many civic and professional organizations, and he was the recipient of numerous honors, including the C.H. Harrell Award for Education that he received in 2000 and the Collierville Person of the Year award that he received from the Collierville Chamber of Commerce in 2002.  In 2009, the Town of Collierville dedicated the newly established "Tom Brooks Park", which is located near the town square.

Tom is survived by daughter, Watty Brooks Hall; son-in-law, Chris Hall; sister, Nancy Brooks Bowman (SPHS '43); niece Betsy Bowman Dugger, and nephews Charles and Brooks Bowman.  His daughter, Amy Franklin Brooks passed away in 2000.  His passing brings much sorrow, but his remaining family and loved ones take comfort in knowing he is smiling and rejoicing with departed loved ones, Kelsey and Amy.

Collierville Funeral Home, November 2, 2012