Donald (“Don”) Keith Brooks, 84, of Canton, Georgia, passed away on October 20, 2026.

Born on December 21, 1941, in Hammond, Indiana, to Lena Mae Keith and Howard Wilson Brooks, Don was raised in Southern California, served his country in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman (HM), and graduated from the University of Missouri.

While attending the University of Missouri, Don met and married the love of his life, Ann Lillian Mattson. Don and Ann were married on July 16, 1967, and were together 58 years until Ann’s peaceful passing on November 5, 2025. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with faith, love, and family.

Don enjoyed spending time with Ann, his two sons and their families. Don was an excellent athlete and particularly enjoyed playing tennis and golf. Tennis was a sport that he played competitively for fifty years, achieving national rankings as a senior. Don was a life-long participant in the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (“ALTA”) since the 1970s.

This was a passion that Don was able to share and pass down to his sons, as they both became Georgia State High School Champions under Don’s coaching and leadership, and both played father/son tournaments with Don at the state, southern, and national levels creating some of the best family memories. He very much enjoyed competing in these events, but spending quality time with his sons was more important than the winning and losing. He taught his sons a lot about life, how to compete, and how to treat others through their tennis experiences. When golfing, his excitement for holes-in-one (he had three) and being on the green with friends is what he’ll be remembered for. This love of golf was something he carried with him throughout his whole life.

In his later years as his sports activity slowed down, Don particularly enjoyed watching PGA golf and college football (particularly Missouri and Georgia). He was also an active streamer of the latest shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime. When not watching those shows, he enjoyed watching Fox News or even just having it on in the background. He was also a devoted animal lover who adored his dogs Millie, Murphy, and Cooper.

Utilizing his common sense and affability, Don built a successful career in industrial sales selling specialty paper to some of the world’s largest manufacturers throughout the United States. Don was also a member of Canton First Methodist Church and attended regularly.

His family describes him as a true gentleman who enjoyed interacting with others and always brought positivity to conversations and relationships. Don is survived by his sons Thomas Brooks (Kathleen) of Canton, Georgia, and Michael Brooks (Elaine) of Dayton, Ohio; his sister Barbara Ostler (Simon) of Wilsonville, Oregon; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law John Victor Mattson, Jr. (Nan) of Sarasota, Florida; eleven grandchildren — Cole (Anna) Brooks, Caroline Brooks, Mary Grace Brooks, Jack Brooks, John Brooks, Matthew Brooks, William Brooks, Joseph Brooks, Anna Brooks, Patrick Brooks, and Katherine Brooks; and his great-granddaughter Ryder Ann Brooks.

A celebration of life will be held at Darby Funeral Home on November 30, 2026, at 1:00 pm with Dr. Kenny Ott officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation prior to the service from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Darby Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Georgia National Cemetery on November 30, 2026, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta in honor of Don's loving and giving spirit. 

Don Brooks will be remembered for his devoted love for his family, his humility, the way he treated others, the time he spent with those he loved, and the legacy he leaves for generations to come.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Donald “Don” Keith Brooks.