Ralph Brooks

It is with very tender hearts that we share the news of the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Ralph Morris Brooks, on September 1, 2026, surrounded by family members in his home in Cedar City, Utah. Ralph was born in St. George, Utah, on May 9, 1940, to Irvin Morris and Ina Miles Brooks. He was the middle of three children.

Ralph graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and a subsequent master’s degree in organizational sociology. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in sociology from Iowa State University in 1971. He moved with his family to Indiana and accepted an associate professor position at Purdue University, where he taught for five years. During his time at BYU, he was part of the boxing club, where he took first place in his weight class. It was at BYU that he met and later married Reva Lynette Hansen on May 28, 1964, in the Salt Lake City Temple. They had nine children, whom he loved dearly.

Ralph was well acquainted with sales, as he managed and co-owned department stores with his father. They developed I.M. Brooks Company and opened stores in San Manuel, Oracle, Casa Grande, and Coolidge, Arizona. He was also committed to his community in Coolidge, serving as Rotary Club president and as a member of the school board. After closing Brooks Department Stores, Ralph changed careers. He worked in the Coolidge Public School System as a high school math teacher while also teaching several evening courses at Central Arizona College. He also directed the Success Center, an alternative to a high school diploma. He later served as both junior high and high school principal. He completed his career in the educational system by serving as district superintendent. While living in Pine Valley, he served as a volunteer firefighter and enjoyed that experience for several years.

The legacy that Ralph leaves is his love for the Savior. He truly made Him the center of his life through the service he gave. He served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including as bishop and branch president in San Manuel and Coolidge, Arizona, and Pine Valley, Utah. He served in the stake presidency in Casa Grande, Arizona. During this time, he also taught and ministered to inmates at the Arizona State Prison, one of his favorite places to serve.

Ralph served as a missionary in Brazil from 1960–1962. Ralph and Reva received a temporary call to Bangalore, India, but were reassigned to São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008–2009, where they served in the Church Office in the Perpetual Education Department. They soon returned to São Paulo for another mission in the family history department. During their time in Pine Valley, they served as directors in the family history center and were missionaries in the Pathway Program. Ralph served as a temple ordinance worker with his wife in the St. George Temple for several years.

Aside from his family and church service, Ralph had many things that brought him great joy throughout his life. In no particular order, he loved his dogs, Mac and Trooper; his accordion; Mexican food; peanuts in orange pop; road biking (he did the Tour de Tucson and the Le Grande Tour); taking his family to Box Canyon in the dune buggy; pheasant, dove, and quail hunting; any card or board game; BYU football; BYU Sports Nation; making homemade root beer; the Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns; old cowboy movies; target shooting with the family; the Tabernacle Choir; and building memorable relationships with a countless number of friends.

One of his greatest talents was connecting with people and making them feel loved, important, and welcomed.

He is survived by his wife, Reva; sisters Connie Schroath and ReNae (Tony) Romney; and his children, David (Ruth) Brooks, Jana (Jay) Kemble, Barbara (David) Murdoch, ReNae (Rick) Baxter, Scott (Kathy) Brooks, Becky (Bruce) Larsen, Rick (Mickenzie) Brooks, Jared (Nicole) Brooks, and Karina (Alex) Bitting. He is also survived by 43 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren (and counting).

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Spencer Murdoch.

Funeral services will be held on September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Central Utah Chapel. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out with kind words, prayers, and support during this difficult time. This is also a time of much joy, as we take great comfort in our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness.