BROOKS FAMILY HISTORY - Interactive Family Histories

BROOKS FAMILY HISTORY 7-387Bernice and Harold had met as students at Oklahoma State University duringHarold’s senior year. Bernice received her degree in Home Economics in 1942from Oklahoma State University. Harold was born on March 9, 1915 on a farmabout six miles east of Stigler in Haskell County, Oklahoma and is the son ofLouis Bertie Casey and Florence Larue (Shelton) Casey, both direct ancestors ofthe authors. For additional information on the Casey family, see the section onCasey Family History.In 1931 (at the age of sixteen), Harold graduated from Keota High School andwas the validictorian of his class. When he graduated from high school, the nationwas in its most serious economic depression. Hired farm labor was beingpaid fifty cents per day, but jobs were almost impossible to find. The first twoyears after high school were spent working on his father’s farm which had atwenty-five acre apple orchard. From 1933 to 1936, Harold served in the armyand was assigned to the 18th Field Artillery in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In Septemberof 1937, Harold and his brother, Louis, enrolled at Oklahoma State University.While attending college, Harold and Louis played in western band whichcalled themselves “The Rangers.” As a student at Oklahoma State University,Harold was a member of Blue Key, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Zeta, Vice-Presidentof the Collegiate Chapter of the Future Farmers of America and was a proctorand the president of Aggie Halls. In May of 1941, Harold received a Bachelorof Science degree in Agriculture Education. Upon graduation, Harold becamean agriculture instructor at Helena, Oklahoma. From April of 1943 to Februaryof 1946, Harold served in the navy attaining the rank of Senior Lieutenant. Duringhis naval career, he was stationed with the Fifth Fleet in Hawaii, Saipan,Phillipines and Japan.After the war, Harold and Bernice Casey moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma whereHarold was employed as an Extension Agent of 4-H Programs. After six weeks,he was promoted to County Agriculture Agent. In 1955, Harold completed hisrequirements for a Master of Science degree from Oklahoma State University.While living in Guthrie, Harold served as president of the Guthrie Lions Club, ascabinet secretary to the District Lions Club Director, president of the OklahomaAssociation of Fairs and as a scoutmaster in Boy Scouts. He was the recipientof several awards including the KVOO Greener Pastures contest, Tennessee ValleyAuthority Fertilizer Demonstration contest, Oklahoma Fertilizer Dealers AssociationAward, the Oklahoma Farmer-Stockman Neighborhood Progresscontest, Oklahoma Seedsmen Award and the Guthrie Chamber of CommerceAchievement award.In July of 1957, Harold was promoted to a District Extension Director andmoved to Stillwater, Oklahoma for his new position. In July of 1961, Harold receiveda Doctorate of Education (EdD) from Oklahoma State University withmajors in Administration in Higher Education and Personnel Supervision. InSeptember of 1968, Harold was promoted to Director of Personnel for theOklahoma State University Extension Service and remained in that position untilhe retired in July of 1976. From July of 1976 to July of 1977, Harold was anAssociate Professor in the Department of Agriculture Education at OklahomaState University. During this year, he co-authored the four hour correspondence