E. Jerry Brooks

E. Jerry Brooks, 88, of Lancaster, PA, died Sunday, July 7, 2013 at Hospice & Community Care of Mount Joy. Born in West Willow, PA, he was the son of the late Paul and Bertha Lawrence Brooks. Jerry was the husband of Dawn C. Peechatka Brooks, with whom he spent many wonderful years of marriage. An award-winning student athlete, Jerry was a 1942 graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School where he co-captained the 1941 football team, was a shot-putter and hurdler on the track and field team, and an outstanding wrestler. He earned a District III medal in his senior year. He was an Eagle Scout. Jerry proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France, during the liberation of Europe. After his honorable discharge from the military, Jerry graduated from Millersville University, earned a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and completed additional graduate work at Temple University. Jerry returned to McCaskey, his alma mater, as a teacher in 1949 where he also coached football, wrestling, cross country, and track and field until 1962. He went on to serve as assistant principal and later principal at Hand Junior High; principal at Penn Manor High School; and assistant superintendent at Penn Manor. During his 18-year tenure at Penn Manor, he served on the District III PIAA Committee for 15 years as Chairman, and also on the State Board, PIAA, as Treasurer, Vice President, and several years as President. He was president of the Lancaster City Teachers Association, president of the Southern Region PSEA, and served several terms on the State Executive Council, PSEA. In 1984, Jerry retired from school work and was appointed the first Executive Director of District III, PIAA, a post he held until 1997. The Committee established an award in Jerry’s name that honored outstanding senior student athletes in the 10 counties of District III. More than 5,000 student athletes have received this honor. Known as a “true benevolent guardian of the rules,” Jerry officiated football, swimming and diving for 35 years, and track and field for 60 years until 2011. He was the only referee for the Lancaster-Lebanon meets until 2011. He was a District III meet referee for 48 years, and a State track and field meet referee for 40 years. Jerry’s many awards and honors include: George Kirchner Award (1980); American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation award for promoting championships for girls; Basketball Officials Award; J. Freeland Chryst Award; PIAA Distinguished Service Award; and Lancaster-Lebanon Track and Field Officials Award. He was honored with memberships in the District III Wrestling Hall of Fame; Pennsylvania Wrestling, and Track and Field Halls of Fame; McCaskey High School Sports Hall of Fame; and the Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to his wife, Dawn, he is survived by two daughters: Linda Schoch, wife of Robert Schoch, of Lititz, PA, and Cynthia Doutrich, wife of Paul, of York, PA; two stepsons: Christopher Biemesderfer, husband of Rebecca Jensen, of Tucson, AZ, and Jonathan Biemesderfer of Dragoon, AZ; stepdaughter Lisa Carr, wife of Gary, of Phoenix, AZ; and four grandsons: Brian, Mark and Erik Medina, and Douglas Schoch. Jerry was predeceased by his first wife, Geraldine Wiegand, his brother, Edgar, and sisters Esther, Beulah, and Thelma. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jerry’s Memorial Service on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 (tomorrow), at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Apostles UCC, 1850 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, with the Rev. Kathryn L. Kuhn officiating. The family will greet friends at the Church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, and at a luncheon following the service. Private interment will take place in the Church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerry’s name may be made payable to the Apostle Community Preschool, c/o Church of the Apostles UCC, 1850 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603; or the Children’s Sunday School Program, with checks payable to Church of the Apostles UCC, 1850 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603; or to the charity of one’s choice.

E. Jerry Brooks

July 8, 2013