Owen S. Brooks, Jr.

Owen S. Brooks, Jr., 83, of Milford, Delaware, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, at the Delaware Hospice Center. Born on November 10, 1941, in Milford, Delaware, Owen led a life dedicated to his family and of service to his community, leaving a lasting legacy.

Owen graduated from Milford High School in 1959. On Thanksgiving 1960, the wonderful romance story began. Owen wasn’t going to go to the high school football game that day, but he saw two friends at a store that talked him into attending the game. It was there that Rose saw him from a distance and pointed him out to a mutual friend, Jeanie Betts Fitzgerald, who intervened. Owen and Rose were married on July 23, 1961. They were married for 63 years.

Owen was always a hard worker and began working jobs at the age of 12. One of his first jobs was working at Cleaver’s Grocery store. He worked at Jewell’s Grocery and drove the delivery truck in the neighboring area developing many lifelong friendships. He worked at the Sussex Company in Milford. Eventually, he went to work at DuPont’s in Seaford, where he worked for 36 years.

Owen led a lifetime of community service. Owen was a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Milford. In the 1960s, Owen was a member of the Carlisle Fire Company but once becoming employed at DuPont’s resigned and served on DuPont’s Fire Brigade for 18 years until he was no longer permitted to serve on the Fire Brigade due to his job responsibilities. Owen coached Parks and Recreation Basketball in Milford for several years. Owen coached baseball, and even one year of softball, for Milford Little League for 53 years. Over the years, he had the opportunity to coach alongside his brother (Larry), his son (Dion), and his son-in-law (Wes), and these were years he treasured. He coached many winning seasons, all-star teams, and the Milford Senior League 2003 State Championship team. He also served as the tournament director many years. He was honored with the William E. Morris Award for dedication to the baseball program. The Milford Senior League baseball field was named “Brooks Field” in his honor in April 2004. Owen served on Milford City Council, representing the 3rd Ward, for 38 years from 1982 until 2020. He served as Vice Mayor of Milford for 18 of those years.

In his leisure time, Owen enjoyed spending time with family and his beloved dog, Zuma. Owen was a dedicated Orioles fan and was usually spotted around town wearing his Orioles jacket and/or hat. Until his health no longer permitted it, Owen enjoyed working in his yard and has also helped many neighbors with their yards when they were in need.

Owen is survived by his son Dion Brooks and wife Kim, his daughter Diane Revel and husband Mark, and his daughter Dana Spruill and husband Wes, and his brother Larry Brooks. Owen was blessed with grandchildren Anthony Brooks, Derrick Brooks, Meghan Shirkey, Mallory Revel, Ashley McCaa, and Alexis Spruill, as well as great-grandchildren Karli Rose Shirkey, Owen Max Shirkey, Nolan McCaa, and Sebastian Passwaters.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rose Anne (Lufsey) Brooks, his infant daughter Dina Rose Brooks, his parents Owen S. Brooks, Sr., and Madeline (Phillips) Brooks, his sister Dorothy (“Dot”) Clendaniel, and his brother Michael Brooks.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during the viewing on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 10:00am – 12:00pm in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front Street, Milford, Delaware 19963. A funeral service will immediately follow at 12 noon with interment at Milford Community Cemetery on Walnut Street.

Owen will be remembered for his love for his family, kindness to his friends, and his many contributions to the Milford community.

Flowers accepted; or donations encouraged to a local animal rescue or to the Delaware Hospice Center at 100 Patriots Way, Milford, Delaware 19963.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the many kind words, thoughts, and prayers that have been received during the past few months and to the staff of Dr. Ray Bologna’s office, Dr. Iftekhar Kahn’s office, the Milford Memorial Hospital, and the Delaware Hospice Center.