Final Salute

Dallas Crawford Brooks, born in Montgomery, AL on November 10, 1946; died peacefully surrounded by his family on September 29, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. Dallas fought a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John D. Brooks and Louise Crawford Brooks; his infant son, Reid, and brother, Jimmy. Dallas is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda J. Brooks; son, John Dallas Brooks (Becca); his precious granddaughters, Daisy and Lily Brooks; sisters, Gloria Lockhart (Ralph) and Brenda Blair; sister in law, Ann Brooks; brother in law, Judd Creek and many nieces and nephews.

During his early years while in elementary school, Dallas spent many of his Saturdays hanging around Wing’s Locksmith shop in Montgomery where his father worked. He spent a lot of time learning the business, cutting keys and dispatching. In 1963, at age 17, he quit school and joined the U. S. Navy Reserves and passed his high school equivalency exam. Dallas served on active military duty from 1965 through 1967. Dallas was a combat Veteran, who saw two tours of combat duty in Vietnam with the Seabees. On his last tour in Vietnam, he was thrown out of his rack by one of the shells exploding nearby. He spent the night shivering in a water-filled foxhole with only his drenched skivvies, his rifle and his helmet. Dallas said that the experience of the intense shelling and the very close calls with death made him a man that night and caused him to reprioritize his life.

After military service, Dallas returned to Montgomery, met the love of his life, Linda Reid. They married and were mutually supportive of their respective dreams and aspirations in a marriage that lasted 55 years. Dallas was graduated from Auburn University Montgomery with a bachelor’s degree in Education. Dallas was a loyal Auburn fan – War Eagle!!! After graduating, he taught seventh grade history in the Montgomery School System for one year.

Dallas decided on a new career path and in December 1974 when he started working for Wing’s Locksmith shop. In 1984, striking out on his own with a personal mantra of “under promise, over deliver” Dallas established American Lock and Key, Inc. in Auburn, AL. He became interested in Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). In 1991, his chapter voted to send Dallas to ALOA’s convention in Anaheim, CA to represent the members on the important issue of members’ voting rights. While in Anaheim, he became a candidate for the Southeast Vice President position. Passionate in his quest for fairer representation for all ALOA members, he advocated to 1) allow all members to participate in the voting process without having to be present at the convention and 2) to change the process to allow all the vice presidents to be elected only by their peers in their respective regions. Dallas lost his bid for Vice President of the Southeast, but he did open a lot of eyes among members throughout the country as well as ALOA board members. The following year, he was invited to serve as a member at large on the ALOA board. In 1993, he was elected to a three-year term as Director of the national ALOA board and later was elected President of the national ALOA. As President of ALOA, Dallas, represented ALOA, speaking at the International Locksmith convention, in Haarlem, Netherlands. Dallas’ contribution to ALOA helped strengthen the organization, making it vital to advancing professionalism, offering educational opportunities, and standardizing the locksmith testing and certification process. American Lock and Key, Inc. continues operating in Auburn, Montgomery and Pace, FL.

Over the course of his life, Dallas has touched many lives and we are better for having known him. He was a ray of sunshine that shined brightly in the lives of his family, friends, and his customers. He befriended many of his customers and competitors. He had a way with people. His goodness and decency as a person were evident during his interactions with all with whom he had contact. Over the past few months, he reestablished contact with some of his elementary school classmates and reveled in listening to their life’s stories as well as sharing happy and sad times of his own. May the pearly gates open wide for you where you will enter into eternal rest, where there will be no more pain, and where there will be only love, joy and peace. Dallas we miss you. You opened your heart to us and unlocked ours. A celebration of life will be held from 2:00pm til 5:00pm on October 10, 2022 At Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, AL. Friends attending are encouraged to share their fondest memories. In lieu of flowers, please submit donations to Upward Church Building Fund 9859 N. Davis Hwy Pensacola, FL 32514

Published by The Opelika-Auburn News on Oct. 4, 2022.