Barry Raiford Brooke

Sumter, SC …. Barry Raiford Brooke, Age 82, beloved husband of 33 years to the late Patricia Aboussleman Brooke, died on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at his residence.

Born in Rome, GA, he was the son of the late Joseph William Brooke and Katherine Pearl Brown. Barry proudly served for more than twenty-four years as a member of the US Air Force having served five tours in Vietnam. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Air Force accommodation medal two devices, the Meritorious service medal with three devices and numerous other awards. Chief Brooke established the Air Force Jr ROTC program at Manning High School in 1993 serving in that position for eighteen years.

Barry’s other passions included bowling, having achieved a top score of 298.  As a member of the Sumter Newcomer’s Club he was proficient in many games including Mexican Train, Bunco and Triominos. He cherished the time spent with his friends. His love for football began as a player for the Rockmart High School Yellow Jackets and extended to becoming an avid University of GA football fan. He was a self-proclaimed history buff always ready to share his knowledge. As an enthusiast of the Louis L’Amour series, Jesse Stone series, western, cowboy and war movies he was delighted watching them numerous times while cultivating the same enthusiasm with new viewers.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his 91-year-old Aunt Glennel Harris of Douglas Ga, children Gregg Brooke of Atlanta GA, Darrin Brooke (ex-wife Mindi) of Palmetto GA, Tommy Jones (wife-Jennifer) of Atlanta GA and  Kasey Barton (husband-Kevin) of Bremen GA and seven grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his twin brother Larry Raymond Brooke, sister Marsha Brooke-McGinnis and his cat Princess.

Barry was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you never had to wonder what was on his mind.  He wanted to be remembered for being a good husband and provider. For everyone else whose life he touched, he will be remembered for his dry humor, genuine concern for those around him and how much he was loved and respected. He had a special way of growing on every person that he met and will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 5:00 pm in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with full military honors. To ensure that everyone can be a part of the service, for those who are unable to attend in person, the service will also be streamed live and will be available for 90 days after the funeral. You will be able to find the link at the bottom of this page on the day of the event.

The family will receive friends, one hour prior to the service, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm at Bullock Funeral Home.

The family would like very much to have you go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book and share your special “Barry” memory.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barry Raiford Brooke, please visit our floral store.