Curtis Brooks, Sr.

Curtis Brooks — devoted husband, father, grandfather, mentor, entrepreneur, man of faith, and storyteller without equal — passed away on April 26, 2026, in Michigan, where he spent his final years close to his son’s family. He was 87. Born December 16, 1938, in Lexington Mississippi to Willie and Nell Brooks, Curtis came of age in Chicago Heights, where he graduated from Bloom High School. It was there that he met Bertha, his high school sweetheart - a partnership that would shape the next sixty years. They were married in 1962. Curtis attended Southern Illinois University before serving in the United States Army. The experience became part of the fabric of his identity. He spoke often with unmistakable pride, humor, and gratitude, and the stories became legend. Curtis built his career in the restaurant equipment industry. He started in the Chicago suburbs working for General Electric but was soon transferred to Cincinnati where he earned numerous achievement awards and established himself as a gifted salesman. He and Bertha raised their son there, Curtis Jr., until 1980, before being relocated to Dublin Ohio, where Curtis would live for the next forty-five years. After GE Curtis stepped into entrepreneurship as a founding partner of DRC Marketing Group before later launching Advantage Equipment Corporation. Through both ventures, he became a trusted advisor and supplier to major restaurant brands, including KFC and Yum! Brands. Curtis built his reputation the same way he built relationships — personally, faithfully, and over time. Among the professional relationships he treasured most was his friendship with Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, a connection he carried with genuine pride throughout his life. A man of deep and enduring faith, Curtis was a longtime member of New Salem Baptist Church, where he served faithfully for many years as a Trustee and member of the Usher Board. The church was not simply a place he attended; it was central to how he lived. He believed deeply in encouraging others, especially young men beginning their professional and spiritual journeys. Through mentorship programs, church leadership, personal counsel, and quiet acts of generosity, Curtis invested himself in people. He carried a Psalm 23 pendant in his pocket nearly every day of his life, drawing strength and comfort from the words that anchored his faith. Curtis was, above all, a storyteller. He did not merely tell stories — he performed them. He acted them out, walked listeners through every detail, and made you feel as though you had been standing beside him the entire time. His personality filled every room he entered. Gregarious, jolly, endlessly optimistic, and armed with a tireless work ethic, Curtis had a rare ability to make people feel seen and encouraged. He believed in “building your brand,” in perseverance, and in carrying the Brooks name with pride and integrity. He took tremendous pride in his grandchildren and loved celebrating their accomplishments and who they were becoming. He was an avid sports fan, especially devoted to the Chicago Bears, and loved the game of golf — perhaps practicing even more than playing. His devotion to Bertha was the great work of his life. He cared for her through her final years with patience, tenderness, and unwavering love until her passing in 2022. When Curtis later moved to a senior living community in 2023, that same caregiving instinct simply found new ground. Even as a resident himself, he became known for checking in on fellow residents, lifting spirits, offering encouragement, and looking after others. More often than not, he was the one giving care rather than receiving it. It was who he was to the very end. Curtis is survived by his son, Curtis Brooks Jr.; daughter-in-law, Julie Brooks; grandchildren, Bennett and Grace; sisters, Rose Sims and Anna Turner; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, friends, church members, and the many young people he mentored throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bertha, and his parents, Willie and Nell Brooks. A Memorial Service and reception celebrating the life of Curtis Brooks will be held on Thursday, June 18, at 11:00 a.m. at: Wedgewood Golf & Country Club – 9600 Wedgewood Blvd. Powell, OH 43065 Curtis will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Michigan In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in memory of Curtis Brooks to either the McDaniel Pitts Scholarship Fund or the New Salem Logos Endowment Fund. McDaniel Pitts Scholarship Fund New Salem Logos Endowment Fund Donations may be mailed to: The Columbus Foundation 1234 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205 Please specify the designated fund and indicate that the donation is being made in memory of Curtis Brooks. “Build your brand. Never, ever give up. Trust Jesus.”