David Ross Brookings, loving son, father, husband and friend, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2009 at his home in Mount Vernon, Washington.
He was born on August 29, 1961 in Sedro-Woolley, WA to Stanley and Eleanor Meyer Brookings. David grew up in Sedro-Woolley where he attended school and enjoyed playing sports, his loves were baseball and football. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1979. He went on to attend Skagit Valley College, graduating in 1985 with an Associates Degree in Civil Engineering. He went on to pursue further education, attending the Oregon Institute of Technology and graduated in 1987 with a BS Degree in Civil Engineering. His passions grew during his college years to include rowing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Later he entered the masters program at Western Washington University, graduating with a Masters Degree in Business Finance. While attending school he worked for the Department of Natural Resources, running pea viners, construction for Fisher & Sons and at Skagit Corporation.
During the summers of 1984, 85&86, he worked on the survey crew for the Skagit County Public Works Department and began his full time employment for Skagit County as a Project Engineer. He worked his way up to Natural Resources Division Manager by 1997. Dave loved Skagit County and working with the public works staff. He enjoyed the challenges and opportunities he experienced while working for Public Works. In August of 2007, he went on to further fulfill his career by becoming Director of Surface Water Management for Snohomish County. This position afforded Dave the opportunity to bring his knowledge, experience, excitement and passion to work with a new staff with new challenges and he took great satisfaction from his time there.
Dave’s passion for living included his love of family time, camping, kids sports, coaching, vacations and time with friends. His passions also included his golf game, running and fishing all the major rivers in Washington and caught fish in all of them. Dave was one of those that could catch a fish out of a mud puddle.
Dave was a member of the Wildcat Steelhead Club, Leadership Skagit Curriculum Co-Chair, appointed by the Governor to Washington State Flood Damage Reduction Committee, affiliated with Government Finance Officers Association, American Public Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Association of Flood Control and Stormwater Managers.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Linda Wills Brookings and their daughters, McKenzie and Haley Brookings at the family home in Mount Vernon. His parents, Stan and Ellie Brookings of Birdsview and his father-in-law and spouse, Mike and Maryanne Barsness of North Carolina. His brothers-in-law, Roger Wills of Mount Vernon and Matt Barsness and his wife Harmony of Camano Island. His aunts, Ruth Kuske and her husband Edwin of Sandwich, IL, Marilyn Cornwell and her husband John of San Diego, CA and Kathy Mask and her husband Todd of Sedro-Woolley; an uncle, Bill Meyer and his wife Jan of Wickersham and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Close friends include Judy Storbakken of Mount Vernon, ‘Uncle’ Lenny Thompson and his wife Darcy of Sedro-Woolley and ‘Uncle Boaster’ Steve Biggs and his wife Chris of Mount Vernon. Dave was preceded in death by his sisters, Karen and Julieanne; his mother-in-law, Bonnie Barsness; grandparents, Eugene and Marguerite Brookings and Cecil and Irene Meyer and an aunt, Jeanette John McCauley. Dave will be greatly missed by all that know and love him, how ever his spirit and passion for life will live on in all of us.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 1:00 pm at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon. Parking on the revetment, drop off as needed in front of theater. Memorials are suggested to Lincoln Theater Foundation, Skagit Hospice or the Wildcat Steelhead Club. Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
I went to OIT with Dave. We were good friends and lost contact after school. I am so sorry to read about Cave’s passing. My deepest sympathies. I have a picture somewhere with Dave and I and our bucks we shot during hunting season at school.