A child survivor of a horrific 1979 home invasion near Okarche who later authored major crime victim legislation as a state senator and then documented his experience in a movie filmed in and around Kingfisher died last week after a long cancer battle.

Brooks Douglass, 56, was honored Friday at a memorial service in Oklahoma City.

He was just 16 when two men burst into his family’s rural Okarche home and held him, his 14-yearold sister and parents captive for hours before shooting all four of them.

His parents, the Rev. Richard and Marilyn Douglass, were killed, but he and his sister survived and, although seriously injured, were able to untie themselves and drive to a neighbor’s home for help.

Douglass later graduated law school Oklahoma State Senate at age 27, authoring and shepherding into law the state’s first major crime victim protection legislation.

While both of his family’s attackers were originally sentenced to death, only one was executed. The actual triggerman was granted a new trial after an appeal and was sentenced to life in prison.

Douglass later visited his attacker in prison and offered forgiveness at the end of a lengthy emotional meeting.

Later, while residing in California. Douglass wrote a screenplay about the events of his life which became a major faith-based motion picture filmed in and around Kingfisher in March 2010.

Douglass and his wife Julea attended an invitation-only premiere of the movie, “Heaven’s Rain” at Kingfisher’s 89er Theatre in September 2010.

Original footage from that movie was used in a second, revised version entitled “The Amendment,” which was released in 2018.

A memorial service for Douglass was held Friday morning at Putnam City Baptist Church, where his father had served as pastor.

Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered flags on state property to be flown at half-staff Thursday and Friday in Douglass’ honor.

In addition to his sister Leslie, Douglass is survived by his wife and children, Brody and Cali.

Former Gov. Brad Henry, a longtime friend of Douglass, and other current and former state leaders were expected to attend the memorial service.