St. George, Utah – Royal Harvard Brooks Jr, age 96, died in his home surrounded by family on February 4, 2024. He was born on May 7, 1927, in Riverside, California to Royal Harvard Brooks, Sr. and Hazel Vanessa Brooks.  He was married to Anita June Loe Brooks, and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 2, 1949.

Royal was raised in Riverside, California and Eugene, Oregon with his mother and three siblings: Vivian, Phyllis and Loren.  He served in the Merchant Marines and the Army during World War Two for the United States of America.  He was a Civil and Agricultural Engineer with a bachelor's degree from Utah State University and Masters and Doctorate degrees from Colorado State University.

Royal worked as a researcher and professor at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.  He started international work in 1977, spending a total of 7 years working in Egypt and 7 years Yemen.  In both countries, he headed up water use and irrigation projects working for the US State Department, Agency for International Development.  He assisted those countries in leading water management and irrigation programs to become more self-sufficient. Royal was beloved by the people he worked with in Egypt and Yemen.

Royal was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in multiple callings including Branch Presidents, Bishoprics and High Counselor.   He served in the Portland, Oregon Temple for 20 years and was an avid family history researcher, submitting over 20,000 names to the Temple registry.

Royal was very active and talented hobbyist throughout his life, enjoying cooking, sourdough bread baking, woodworking, gardening, clock repair and genealogy.  He loved to share his bread, soup and garden with loved ones and neighbors far and wide.

Royal is preceded in death by his daughter, Vivian Rae Brooks and wife, Anita. He is survived by his children:  David Brooks (Taunya Brooks) of Odgen, Utah, Shauna Hull (Charles Hull) of Saint George, Utah, Kevin Brooks (Maureen Brooks) of Las Vegas, NV, Randall Brooks of Saint George, Utah, Kathleen Brooks of Lake Oswego, Oregon and Erin Shorten (Justin Shorten) of Colton, Oregon; his grandchildren: Charlet Mallett, Beau Brooks, Shawn Brooks, Geoff Brooks, Jamison Brooks, Kimberly Brooks, Jennifer Ruh, Matt Brooks, Tara Pacheco, Cameron Brooks,  Blake Brooks, Cameron Hill, Seth Giandomenico and Cole Giandomenico; and 28 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 9, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Westridge Ward Chapel, 415 Westridge Drive, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held Friday, prior to services, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Church.

Those who are unable to attend are invited to view the service from the following Zoom link: Royal Brooks Livestream .  Passcode is 017402

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. in the Sunset Hills Cemetery, Eugene, Oregon, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Anita.

Royal Brooks Funeral ServiceProgram