Leslie (Les) Brooks

January 14, 1943 - August 30, 2017

Mr. Buford Leslie (Les) Brooks, age 74, and resident of Lynnwood Drive in Columbia, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at his residence.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 2nd at 11AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Points officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Unity at Maury Memorial Gardens, located adjacent to the funeral home. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4-8PM and again on Saturday from 10AM until the service at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on January 14, 1943 on Turkey Creek Road in Santa Fe, Leslie was the son of the late Robert Frank Brooks and the late Mandy Jewell Kelley Brooks. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1961 and worked as a welder and machinist.  Along with his brothers Larry and Andrew, they owned and operated Brooks Machine Shop and later Les and Larry opened Southgate Machine.  After Larry’s death in 1990 Les went on to operate Southgate Machine for over twenty five years.  His retirement date was June 18, 2004.  Leslie was known for being a remarkable welder, being able to build anything as long as he could see it in his mind.  He didn’t even need a blue print.  He also had a passion for hunting, fishing, and antique cars. Both of his grandsons have followed in their grandfather’s footsteps.  Michael being employed at Timco, refurbishes the same types of machines that his Pop worked on.  Peyton at the age of 17 has a passion for welding, hunting, fishing, and cars.  The two antique cars that Les kept over his lifetime, he passed down to each of his grandsons.

Leslie, better known by his family as Pop Pop,  is survived by the love of his life of fifty four years, Shirley Riggins Brooks; daughters: Carol Brooks of Columbia and Cindy (Tommy) Craig of Columbia; grandchildren: Michael Brandon Rowland of Columbia and Peyton Thomas Craig of Columbia; great granddaughter: Olivia Charolette Rowland; and his grand dog: Willy Bad.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Larry, Andrew, and Fred Brooks; and son-in-law: James Richard Clark.

Pallbearers will be Gary Eufourth, Doug Johnson, Johnny Cates, Barry McDonald, Gene Seagraves, and Milton Hay.  Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Aaron Milstone, Dr. Robert Bain, Tony Bennett, Bonnie Brandon, Fred Kirk, Beth Eufourth, Tim Brashears, and all the former employees of Southgate and Brooks Machine Shops.