Gloria Mae Middlebrooks

Gloria Mae Middlebrooks, 81, left us to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 7th, 2023. She was born in Klamath Falls to Buck and Daisy Cox of Lakeview Oregon on April 18th, 1942.

Gloria grew up in Lakeview and graduated from Lakeview High School. After high school she worked various jobs, mostly waitressing for the Iron Skillet, Jerry’s Restaurant, and Indian Village. She had the best work ethic, and some would say she trained new employees with an iron fist. She wanted “her girls” (fellow employees) to bring the best service possible to the table.

Gloria met the love of her life, Jim Middlebrooks, while working at The Iron Skillet and they were married in the fall of 1964. They raised their four children, Dale, Rick, Donna, and Mark in Lakeview, with Jim working out of town and Gloria waiting tables and taking care of the children. They had a Country and Western Band that took them all over Eastern Oregon. They even brought their four kids to most of their performances at Grange Halls and other venues. Gloria played the drums and Jim played the guitar and sang. During the Summer, Gloria enjoyed almost every weekend at the lake with the whole family. Even Gloria learned to water ski. Gloria was also an avid bowler and even traveled all over Oregon and other states to compete. She holds the record for Woman Bowler of the Year 2013-2014 in Lakeview!

Gloria and Jim moved to Klamath Falls and purchased a home where they spent many holidays and held wonderful family reunions. At Gloria’s request, Jim made sure her yard was pretty and that she had the greenest lawn on the block! Gloria went to college in Klamath Falls and earned her associate degree in accounting. She went to work for the Ford Dealership and retired from that position with a motorhome and ready to travel.

After Gloria’s beloved Jim passed in 2003, she moved back to Lakeview and took care of her mother, Daisy, until her passing. Gloria then moved into the home where she raised her children and helped care for her daughter-in-law, Teresa, as well as helping her son Rick build a successful fencing business.  In her last few years, she enjoyed being at home in her blue recliner, watching old Western reruns on TV and nature through her window. She loved her family more than anything.

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Middlebrooks, parents Buck and Daisy Cox, brother Jerry Cox, son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Teresa Icenhower, and grandson, Tarl Icenhower.

Gloria is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Jennifer Icenhower, daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Tony Pittard, son, Mark Middlebrooks, stepson, Fred Middlebrooks, and sister-in-law, Alicia Cox. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Christy and Dave Baradell, Ceejae and Duran Torrez, Candice and Chase Winters, Sofia Cobian, Victor Cobian, Veronica and Brandon Skinner, Sierra Middlebrooks, Jason and Jasmine Icenhower, Madison Icenhower & Nick Brewster. Great-grandchildren: Nakisha, Sam, Anita, Caleb, Calder, Bella, Dave, Kadrin, Kaden, Zaden, Aubrey, Olivia, and River.

A memorial service will be held for Gloria on October 21st, 2023, at Foursquare Community Church in Lakeview at 11 a.m., followed by a gathering at the Eagles Lodge. A family graveside service will be held at Westside Cemetery on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Contributions can be made to the Lakeview Senior Center (Meals on Wheels) or the donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gloria Mae Middlebrooks, please visit our floral store.