Dallas Crawford Brooks
November 10, 1946 – September 29, 2022
Dallas Crawford Brooks, born November 10, 1946 in Montgomery, Alabama; died peacefully surrounded by family on September 29, 2022 in Pensacola, Florida. Dallas fought a brave battle with multiple myeloma.
His parents John D. Brooks and Louise Crawford Brooks died before him. His young son Reed and younger brother Jimmy. Dallas’ wife, Linda J. Brooks, has been married for 55 years. 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 Crick and many nieces and nephews.
In his early elementary school years, Dallas spent many Saturdays at the Wing locksmith shop in Montgomery, where his father worked. He spent a lot of time learning the business, cutting keys and scheduling. In 1963, at the age of 17, he dropped out of school to join the U.S. Navy Reserve and passed the high school equivalency exam. Dallas served on active duty from 1965 to 1967. Dallas is a military veteran who served two combat missions in Vietnam with the Seabees. On his last tour in Vietnam, he was thrown from a shelf by a shell that exploded nearby. He shivered all night in a water-filled foxhole with nothing but soaked boots, rifle and helmet. Dallas said the experience of intense shelling and being so close to death made him a man that night and made him redefine his life.
After his military service, Dallas returned to Montgomery with the love of his life, Linda Reed. They got married and supported each other’s dreams and ambitions in a marriage that lasted 55 years. Dallas is a graduate of Auburn University-Montgomery with a BA in Education. Dallas is a big fan of Auburn – Warhawks! ! ! After graduation, he taught seventh-grade history in the Montgomery School System for a year.
Dallas decided to take a new career path and started working at Wing’s locksmith shop in December 1974. Dallas founded American Lock and Key, Inc. in 1984 with the personal slogan of “underpromise, overdeliver.” in Auburn, AL. He became interested in United Locksmiths of America (ALOA). In 1991, his chapter voted to send Dallas to the ALOA Convention in Anaheim, California, to represent members on important issues of membership voting rights. While in Anaheim, he became a candidate for the vice-presidency of the Southeast. Passionate about seeking fairer representation for all ALOA members, he advocated for 1) allowing all members to participate in the voting process without having to attend the General Assembly, and 2) changing the process to allow all vice presidents to be elected only to their counterparts in their respective regions. Dallas lost his chance to run for vice president of the Southeast, but he did get a lot of attention from members across the country as well as ALOA board members. The following year, he was invited to serve on the full board of ALOA. In 1993, he was elected Director of the National ALOA Council for a three-year term and later elected National ALOA President. As ALOA’s President, Dallas represented ALOA at the International Locksmiths Conference in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Dallas’ contributions to ALOA help strengthen the organization, making it critical to promoting professionalism, providing educational opportunities, and standardizing the locksmith testing and certification process. American Lock and Key Company continues to operate in Auburn, Montgomery and Pace, Florida.
Throughout his life, Dallas touched so many lives and we got to know him better. He is a ray of sunshine that shines in the lives of his family, friends and clients. He met many clients and competitors. He has a way with people. His kindness and decency as a person is on full display in his interactions with all who come into contact with him. Over the past few months, he has reconnected with some of his primary school classmates, enjoying listening to their life stories and sharing his joys and sorrows. May the gates of pearls open for you, where you will enter eternal rest, where there will be no more pain, where there will be only love, joy and peace. Dallas, we miss you. You opened your heart to us and opened our hearts. Celebration of Life will be held at the Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, Alabama on October 10, 2022 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Participating friends are encouraged to share their fondest memories.In lieu of flowers, submit a donation to Upward Church Building Fund 9859 N. Davis Hwy Pensacola, FL 32514
Published by Opelika-Auburn News in October. April 4, 2022.