John Brooke

With family at his bedside, John D. Brooke, Jr., 76, of Topeka, Kansas passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024. Born in 1947, to John “Jack” and Ruth Capeless Brooke, he was the oldest of 11 children. He attended Hayden High School and married his high school sweetheart, Sally Gay in 1967; they shared more than 56 years of marriage together. They had three children, Tracie, Toby and Taryn, daughter-in-law, Gulhan, and two grandchildren, Kelsey and Melodi. John served in the National Guard, worked for Santa Fe Railway and retired from the Kansas Gas Service after 34 years. He coached boys’ baseball, girls’ softball and girls’ basketball until the girls were taller than he was! He enjoyed attending theatre to support his daughters’ and granddaughter’s performances. He attended his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events in every sport in which they were involved no matter in what town or state the game was being played. John volunteered for years at Corita’s Corner Sandwich Ministry to make sandwiches for those in need and he was a member of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church. He loved hosting family get-togethers, “flying” the turkey he would prepare for large Thanksgiving meals, grilling and playing ball in the yard. John always loved being there for his family. John and Sally were members of the Topeka Ski Club for more than 46 years and loved many family vacations in Colorado. In summers, they had many good times jet skiing at Lake Perry. John loved fishing with his son, brothers, nephews and buddies. As empty nesters, John enjoyed all his friends, looked forward to breakfasts with retirees from the gas company and playing golf. He crossed items off his bucket list, including skiing the Alps in Austria, joining his daughter in Rome, exploring Ireland with his wife and seeing the 2022 Kentucky Derby in Louisville. He loved experiencing the Cooperstown Museum with his son and grandson and unexpectedly, meeting the retired Royals Baseball player, George Brett, while on a trip to watch his grandson play in a baseball tournament. He was an avid K-State, KU, Royals and Chiefs fan who loved to watch the games with family and friends! John will be greatly missed by many. His survivors include his wife, Sally Brooke; children, Tracie Brooke, Toby Brooke (Gulhan) and Taryn Brooke; grandchildren, Kelsey Brooke and Melodi Brooke; siblings, Carole Shapiro (David), Ruthie Droste (Dan), Sandy McGill (David), Susie Schell (Gregg), Janice Brooke and Michael Brooke; sisters-in-law, Ellie Brooke, Sandy Brooke; and brother-in-law, David Eberhart; 19 nieces and nephews and 19 great-nieces and great-nephews; and many cousins. John was preceded in death by his siblings, Danny Brooke, Barbara Eberhart, Jimmy Brooke and Cathy Whitaker. Visitation will be Friday, April 5, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mother Teresa of Calcutta Church or Corita’s Corner Sandwich Ministry, sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

John Brooke

June 8, 1947 - March 25, 2024