Gerald Lee Brooks was born November 12, 1938, in Tyler, Texas to the parentage of Cleo Caldwell and Gerald DeLoyd Brooks. He was a graduate of Emmett J. Scott High School, Tyler, Texas, and received his Bachelor's Degree from Texas College, one of the nation's oldest black colleges.

While in college, Gerald joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., where he has celebrated 60 years of continuous service. He began his educational career with Texas Independent School District in 1963 as a classroom teacher at Dunbar High School, an all black campus and later moved to Pine Street Junior High. He continued his education by receiving as Master's Degree in education, with 24 hours of post-degree work in school administration from East Texas State University. Soon Gerald worked as an assistant principal in 1945.

After 40 years of service to TISD, Gerald was the first African-American to be elected to the Texar Federal Credit Union Board of Directors in 1974, as position he held for over 20 years. In his time on the Texar board, Gerald served as a chairman. Being the trailblazer that he was, Gerald was also one of the first African-Americans to desegregate TISD in 1967 and one of the first appointed to work the Bowie County general elections. He was a active member of Oak Street Baptist Church, where he served on the Senior Usher Board and the financial committee. He was also a member of the Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators.

Gerald departed his earthly life on Sunday, July 21, 2024. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.

Gerald leaves to cherish his memory: wife of 64 years, Ruthie Brooks of Texarkana, Texas; children, Angela Bunn (Donald), Yolanda Evans and Grallin Brooks, all of Texarkana; 9 grandchildren (2 deceased), 27 great-grandchildren (1 deceased); 4 great-great-grandchildren; Eugene Caldwell of Tyler, Texas and Brooks James of Victoria, Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends.