Lawrence Brooks, oldest living WWII veteran in U.S., dies in La.

Lawrence Brooks, the oldest living World War II veteran in the United States, died Tuesday at the age of 112, his bishop confirmed.
Brooks lived in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans. He died in his own bed at home as per his wishes, his daughter and caregiver, Vanessa Brooks, told Military Times.
Funeral arrangements are pending, according to Rev. Morris Thompson Jr., the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Brooks was a faithful member of St. Luke’s in New Orleans, the bishop said.
“When asked about the secret of living a long life, he would say: ‘Serve God and be nice to people,’” Thompson wrote in an email to church members. “On this day, take a moment to honor his faithful service to our country and to the church by being kind to everyone you meet.”
He has five children, five stepchildren, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He lost his wife, Leona, shortly after Hurricane Katrina.
Brooks celebrated his 112th birthday in September 2021 at his home in Central City as residents gathered for a drive-by celebration hosted by the National World War II Museum.
The museum typically hosts an annual party for Brooks, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, the party was brought to his front door for the past two years.
His most recent birthday party included a performance from the museum’s vocal trio, The Victory Belles, a Jeep parade and more entertainment from a collection of New Orleans musicians.
The City of New Orleans also recognized Brooks’ birthday with an official proclamation.
Brooks was still mentally sharp. The month after his birthday, he could tell decades-old stories of his childhood in Louisiana and rural Mississippi, of being drafted to join WWII. But his body was weak. Brooks’ hearing had become more limited, he lost his sight in one eye, and his vision was fading in the other. Several recent hospitalizations were taxing physically and emotionally, his daughter told a reporter last year.