Orrin Dean Brooks, age 76, of North Platte, died March 8, 2020 at Great Plains Health. He was born March 15, 1943 in Arnold, NE to Lawrence and Mabel (Wood) Brooks. Dean graduated from Brady High School. He married Anita Smith, and to this union 3 children were born, Gary, Gerald, and Brenda.
Dean entered the US Army and served for 6 years, serving in Vietnam. After his discharge, he returned to North Platte, where he hired out with UPRR as a carman in 1968. He continued until his retirement in 2003. In 1996, Dean married Barbara Hengen in North Platte.
Dean enjoyed working on cars and was very mechanical. He liked to fish in his younger years and enjoyed reading.
Survivors include his wife Barb of North Platte; 3 children, Gary (Brenda) Brooks, Gerald Brooks, and Brenda (William) Hills, all of North Platte; step children, Amy Howery, and Brad (Tami) Howery, both of North Platte; 11 grandchildren, Autin Brooks, Kylin Brooks, Jessica Reed, Nathan Davis, Taylor Hills, Cameron Hills, Jonathon Keneipp, Rebecca Keneipp, Nathan Howery, Breanna Wade, and Wyatt Howery; 5 great grandchildren, Madison Reed, Aurora, John, Carson, and Quinton Davis; a sister, Gloria (Darwin) Grooms of Bassett; and several other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Roger Brooks. Memorials may be directed to the Make a Wish Foundation, or to the Goodfellow Shoe Fund.
Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday March 11, 2020 at Adams & Swanson Chapel with the Rev. James Trippett officiating. Casual attire is requested for the service. Inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Tuesday March 10, 2020 from 12-8, with the family receiving friends from 6-8, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.