Richard Thomas Brooks of Midland passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019, surrounded by close family. Richard was born in the former Panama Canal Zone on January 22, 1949, and he graduated from Balboa High School in the Canal Zone. Richard moved to Midland with his younger brother, Peter, and mother, Lucille Brooks after the death of his father, Paul Joseph Brooks, Sr. Richard attended Midland College, receiving an associates degree and attended Southwest Texas State University from which he received a BA in Journalism. Richard was a life-long photographer. He is survived by his older brother Paul and sister-in-law Joan of Midland and his younger brother Peter of Austin. He is also survived by his beloved nieces, Paula Knepper, and her daughters Abby and Maddie of Monument, Colorado and Diana Brooks of Lincoln, Nebraska. He is also survived by his cousin Noemy Soriano and her children, George, Larry, Marla, and Monique. A service will be held in Panama when his remains and those of his mother, who predeceased him in 2015, are placed on his father's graveside.,