Kenneth D. Brooks

Kenneth D. Brooks, 87, of Heathsville, Va., formerly of McLean, Va., passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at his home. Known as “Cap” to his family, Ken was born in Shelbyville, Ky., to the late Stanley Brooks and Ruth Rodgers Brooks Roberts. He retired as captain after a 25-year career in the United States Navy, and he later worked in construction management.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Eldon Hogue; and his brother, Bobby Brooks. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Hauser; his sons, Raff Brooks, Cameron Brooks, Steve Brooks (Donna) and David Brooks (Lisa); his sister, Patricia Ransdell (David); sister-in-law, Margaret Brooks; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Burial services, with Full Navy Honors, are pending scheduling at Arlington National Cemetery. Obituary will be updated at www.storkefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation are appreciated.

During his time in the Navy, Ken was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with star, Bronze Star with combat “V,” Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation and the Legion of Merit. Ken also served as president and treasurer of the International Association of Corporate Real Estate Executives (Baltimore-Washington Chapter) and as vice president of the Association of University Real Estate Officials. He was also a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, the Military Officers Association of America , the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation and was a Golden Life member of the U.S. Naval Institute.

After graduating from Shelbyville High School, Ken attended Georgia Institute of Technology on a Navy ROTC scholarship. While at Georgia Tech, Ken spent his summers as a Navy midshipman and as a model for Hallmark in New York City. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture, Ken was commissioned in the United States Navy. In addition to two tours in Vietnam as a Seabee and with the Civil Engineer Corps, Ken had many exciting duty stations, including Okinawa, Japan; the Pentagon; and Hawaii. His sons were born on four sides of the United States: Raff in Norfolk, Va.; Cameron in Chicago; Steve in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and David in Port Hueneme, Calif.

When Ken took command of Naval Construction in the South Pacific, he was the youngest captain ever given that command at the time. While in the service, Ken also attained a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business finance.

Ken retired from the Navy in 1979 and went to work for George Washington University in Washington D.C., as the real estate officer. One of his signature projects was a mixed-use office/retail complex at 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue. Ken retired from George Washington University after 12 years of service and began private practice in what became a 25-year career in construction services. The last ten years, he consulted exclusively for the Archdiocese of Arlington, where the bishops knew him affectionately as Captain Ken.

Ken’s career extended 62 years until his health declined. He was fond of recalling how he had been working since he was eight years of age, when he helped the milkman make morning deliveries for a nickel and a quart of milk a day. After a lifetime of service to his country, family and community, Ken can rest in peace having lived a life to the fullest.