Jack Brooking Obituary

Born July 10, 1927

Died March 14, 2023

Jack Thomas Brooking was issued forth at Cottage Hospital, Galesburg Ill. just after the firecrackers on July 10, 1927. – the same year Lindbergh made his Lindy Hop. He was born just far enough from the Mississippi to miss being a "river rat". The only child of Thomas Vivian Brooking and Lerrie Vliet he was the son of two bright, pleasant people from poor Midwest farms. Jack's death leaves behind one son Kevin, a British daughter-in-law Rachel Ponsonby and two grandkids: lanky linguist Adam and young actor/singer Lea. They all live in the "City of the Guilded Square" Brussels, Belgium. The parents travel the world to disaster areas performing as clowns and musicians with Clowns Without Borders. They will be deeply missed.

Jack, himself was a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades: painter, actor, song-and-dance man and finally, a Theatre Professor. Training included theatre degrees at the University of Iowa (BA) and Western Reserve University in Cleveland (Ph.D). In later years he turned writer/poet, working with the local Emerald Coast Literary Federation from its inception as the rowdy Backdoor Poets, producing 5 books of poetry and stories. Brooking's colorful lifetime straddled the Depression, WWII, and the Cold War. Soldier-wise he was lucky, being inducted on Victory in Japan Day with no more wars to fight.

Jack's teaching years were split between two decades at the University of Kansas in hilly Lawrence (posh theatre with dramas, musicals, operas) and later a decade at Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, (small experimental theatre with a Southern flair). Richly creative years.

Clear to see that his "gypsy" spirit was inherited by his family. He explored many a boarding house and cheap pension from South America to Europe to North Africa and as far East as Burma, writing furiously along the way. It was a lucky life.

Jack's gravestone leaves a personal message: "A fond au-revoir to all who loved and were loved in return."

He was sustained in his last year by a line from Carl Sandburg, famous home-town poet: "Death is a quiet step into a clean, sweet midnight."

Ceremony 16 April 1PM at the Bayview Cemetery Scenic Highway, bring a candle.

Celebration 16 April 4:30 call 850-932-6359 for more information.

Donations in his name to the Waterfront Mission, Pensacola.