Ronald Lee "Ron" Brooks, age 77, passed away at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center of Appleton on September 3, 2025. He was born November 4, 1947, to Frank and Alice (Thompson) Brooks in Anchorage, Alaska. After graduation from Kaukauna High School in 1965, he enlisted in the Coast Guard serving 4 years. He had many jobs throughout his life but identified primarily as a house painter. There are many tall, old houses in the Valley that bore his brushstrokes up to their peaks. He enjoyed gardening and knew all the Latin names of plants.

Ron was THE favorite uncle to his 14 nieces and nephews.

Ron is survived by his siblings: Susan (Paul) Datta, David (Sally), Kenneth (Mary Jo), Nancy (Scott) Kraft, Tom (Debbie), and Patrick (Cathy); and his godson, Vern Kempen. He is further survived by good friends, Jayson Nelson, Peter Sullivan, and Terry Waters.

Besides Mom and Pops, uncle Fr. Robert Thompson, and nephew Michael, Ron was preceded in death by two life partners, Sally Hess and Mary Peters, who shared a multitude of adventures with Ron.

Visitation for Ron will be held at O'CONNELL FUNERAL HOME (1776 E. Main Street, Little Chute) on September 17, 2025, beginning at 12:00 Noon and concluding with Military Honors, conducted by the Kaukauna V.F.W. Post 3319 and American Legion Post 41, at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow at St. John Sacred Heart Cemetery in Sherwood, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sierra Club or the Nature Conservancy.