Marion County Board Chair Debbie Smith is remembering the long time Coordinator of the Marion County ESDA as a wonderful and caring man who loved his community.
Donnie Brooks passed away on Christmas morning at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital after falling into ill health.
Smith isn’t sure how long Brooks lead ESDA, but he first became involved in the organization in 1964 or 56 years ago.
Smith says Brooks tried to give back every day with no complaints and was not a taker. She called him one in a million and said Marion County was blessed to have had him.
Brooks has been working with his daughter Sheri Barter on grant applications and other operations of the office in hopes she could replace him as ESDA Coordinator.
Smith plans to ask the county board to make that appointment at its regular January meeting.
