Fort Worth Firefighter Todd Brook honored by friends and family at his funeral
Fort Worth Firefighter Todd Brook’s funeral on Wednesday morning was full of love, laughter and devotion — a clear reflection of who he was as a person and firefighter.
Brook worked for the Fort Worth Fire Department for over 30 years and died on June 5 at age 59 from pancreatic cancer.
He was honored at a memorial service Wednesday at Doxology Bible Church in Fort Worth. He was described by co-workers and friends as “adventurous” and “faithful” with a clear emphasis on how much he loved his family.
The live-streamed memorial began with a montage of photos showing Brook doing all his favorite things: Spending time with his wife, Jennifer “Jeno,” and kids, Mason and Fish, golfing, or riding his motorcycle.
Lance Bobolz, known by the nickname “Fathead” that Brook used exclusively during their 20-year-long friendship, reflected on the moment he met Brook at a motorcycle rally in Austin.
He said back then they bonded over motorcycles and the fact that they were both unmarried.
“He was like a long-lost brother to me,” Bobolz said.
The two went on many trips together and Bobolz shared memories from over the years of them getting lost, having cars break down, and driving Brook’s wife, “Jeno,” crazy.
“We took roads we shouldn’t have took. We broke things we shouldn’t have broke,” Bobolz said.
He said that on all their trips Brook always had to wear something representing the Fort Worth Fire Department.
“He was born to be a firefighter,” Bobolz added.
Near the end of Bobolz’s remarks he began speaking through tears saying, “This reminds me of an old Japanese legend that says crying is the way your eyes speak when your mouth can’t explain how broken your heart is. Todd was a great friend, we did lots of stuff together, and I miss him.”
Another friend of Brook’s, Billy Mize said, “Todd’s love for Jeno, Mason and Fish was evident in everything he did.”
Fort Worth firefighter Daniel Terrell agreed. “I’d like to remember a husband — Jeno Todd loved you more than anything in this world. I’d like to remember a father — Mason, Fish, nothing was more important to him than his family, and he’s so proud of both of you,” Terrell said.
Another of Brook’s colleagues, Ron Augustus quoted Proverbs 17:17 saying “a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
He joked that he would normally never stand up in front of people to speak but “Jeno” made him.
“Todd was right, there is no telling her no,” Augustus said.
Augustus referenced music in his remarks saying it’s a way of coping in hard times for him. He read lyrics from Pearl Jam’s “Light Years,” James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain,” and Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here,” the song he says is the most fitting for Brook. The lyrics read:
“You should be here
Standing with your arm around me here
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer, saying cheers
Hey y’all, it’s sure been a good year
It’s one of those moments
That’s got your name written all over it
And you know that if I had just one wish
It’d be that you didn’t have to miss this
You should be here”
“To my friend, I love you to the end,” Augustus said before exiting the stage.
Three of Brook’s cousins: Susan, Jenny, and Dee spoke of his “adventurous spirit” as a child, and “big heart” that they believe led him to become a fireman.
Brent Sanderson, a chaplain at the Fort Worth Fire Department, closed out his remarks honoring Brook with a C.S Lewis line from “The Chronicles of Narnia” that reads, “All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”
Sanderson said, “Todd just got started at chapter one in this great story a bit earlier than us.”
The ceremony concluded with three rings of a bell, a firefighter tradition that symbolizes the ending of a firefighter’s duty.
“It is with deep regret that the Fort Worth Fire Department announces the passing of Firefighter Todd Brook. The bell has been struck for his last alarm. He has been called home.”
Brook’s celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Friday night at the DFW Car and Toy Museum, at 2550 McMillian Parkway, and is open to all.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to a fund to help Jennifer Brook in her search for a kidney donor.
