Dr. Richard A. Brooker

Dr. Richard A. Brooker

Dr. Richard A. Brooker, age 86, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at the Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. He was born Sept. 7, 1930, in Fort Scott, the son of Alvin J. Brooker and Martha Louise Fick Brooker. He married Lorena Jane Carter on Aug. 5, 1951, in Fort Scott. She preceded him in death on Jan. 1, 2007. Richard was a graduate of Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott Community College and Pittsburg State University. He received his Master's degree from Emporia State University and his Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. He was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. Richard started his teaching and coaching career at high schools and later became superintendent of schools. He taught as a professor several years at John Brown University. His last 20 years were at Eastern Kentucky University where he was department chair of construction trades. Richard and Lorena moved from Richmond, Ky., to Fort Scott in 1996. He attended the Community Christian Church.

Survivors include two sons; Timothy Brooker and wife Paulita, Galveston, Texas, and Mark Brooker and wife Sherri, Siloam Springs, Ark.; and a daughter-in-law, Amy Brooker, Siloam Springs. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Brandon Brooker and wife Laneice, Lindsey Taylor and husband Ben, and Matthew Brooker and wife Samantha; and three great-grandchildren, Ellie Brooker, Noah Taylor and Owen Taylor. He was preceded in death by a son, David Brooker and a grandson, Nathan Brooker. Richard was the last of 13 brothers and sisters.

Rev. Kevin Moyers will conduct funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in U.S. National Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Post No. 1165 V.F.W. The family will receive friends Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to The Manna Center (a food bank) located in Siloam Springs, Ark., and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.