James Robert Brooks

James Brooks Obituary

James Robert Brooks

”You are not a human being having a spiritual experience, but a spiritual being having a human experience.” James ended his human experience on earth at home in Eureka on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2006.

Jim is survived by Judy (wife), Sandy and Dwayne Darnell (daughter), Carol and Frank Rogers (daughter), Ethan and John Rogers (grandsons), Fred and Jessie Fahnestock (sister), Jim and Shirley Fahnestock (nephew), Fred and Nancy Fahnestock (nephew), Jerry and Debbie Isler (niece), John and Gail Wedgworth (nephew), Earline Brooks (sister-in-law), Glen and Barbara Brooks (nephew), Gary and Shawn Gundlach (brother-in-law), Heidi, Cory and Serra Gundlach (nieces and nephew), Scott and Janice Ruppert (sister-in-law), Jeff and Josh Ruppert (nephews), and Lois Bartlett (first wife).

James was born January 12, 1921 to John and Effie Brooks. His work life included picking cotton and mechanic for Southern Pacific Railroad in Arizona. He laid pipeline for El Paso Natural Gas from Texas to California. In Crescent City he hauled tetrapods for the jetty. Jim moved to Eureka in 1957. He mostly worked as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for the city of Eureka, on the Humboldt Bay jetties, for Mercer Fraser Co. and construction companies completing highways 101, 299 and Los Angeles freeways.

Jim enjoyed the “Breakfast Club” at McDonalds, Bayshore Mall friends, the flea market and his “EPT Family” where he did pool therapy. He always had a joke or puzzle to share- “The Metallic Age- silver in your hair, gold in your teeth and lead in your ___.” In his younger days he loved “Harleys”, treasure hunting and coin collecting. “Jimmy was the most disciplined, self-reliant, clever person I’ve ever known.” (Judy)

James requested no service. Cremation was completed by Empire Mortuary in Ukiah. He will be taken to the Pacific Ocean when weather permits, as he was proud of his 4 years service on the USS Kennison destroyer during WWII, as a Machinist Mate First Class. In lieu of flowers- VFW Post 1872, 1018 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501; DAV, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.

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Published by Times-Standard on Dec. 10, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for James Brooks

8 Entries

Judy Brooks

January 5, 2007

Thank you to all who wrote regarding my Jimmy. It has meant a lot to me.
Hope your 2007 is peaceful.

Love,
Judy

Sue Killoran & Family

January 2, 2007

Judy and Family,

The few times that I met James he always had a smile and joke to tell. Cherish and remember the happy times you all shared together - I am sure there are many. All my best to all of you.

Michael and Betsy Stapleton

December 27, 2006

James,
The last I remember seeing you was at Crab Park for a weenie roast. Also I have never forgotten a toothpick trick you did while we were having dinner at the Sea Grill in Eureka sometine in the past. Butmost of all, I remember how much your stepdaughter ,Carol, thought of you.
Michael and Betsy stapleton

TED AND CAROLINE SCHUETTE

December 21, 2006

HEY JIM WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT YOUR PASSING WE WERE SO SAD BUT KNOW YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE WE WILL MISS YOU AT THE LUBE RACK COMING TO SEE US AND SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS IT WAS GREAT TO GET TO KNOW YOU IN YOUR LIFETIME TED AND CAROLINE SCHUETTE

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Herb and Susie Showman

December 20, 2006

Judy, we are so sorry for your loss and ours also. When ever we saw Jim , he always had to stop and say hi. My husband and I used to go on the Reno trips and for sure the jokes were being told,needless to say we all had a good time.
After he retired from Reno trips, he still had stories of the casinos here in our neck of the woods.
All the coffee clubs @ the mall,that also includes McDonalds club too.No need to tell you-but he is missed by everyone-of course those casinos too. Like you told us you feel him close at the casino-you are so right,he was one of a kind.

Linda Ehrhardt

December 19, 2006

I'll remember James helping with the helium ballons launched by the 2nd graders a century ago. He was always there to help... at the Elk River field trip, too. Judy, he was special and will be missed by many. My sympathy to you.

ben jeremiah

December 11, 2006

So long Jim it has been good to know ya...

Heidi Gundlach

December 10, 2006

My beloved Uncle Jim taught me all the coolest puzzle games, and told me the joke that is still my favorite one to tell to this day. He was the first person to hear me curse, and he never told on me.

Every time I've introduced a friend to my family, I've always said,"Wait until you meet my Uncle Jim. He's cooler than ... ANYTHING." and everyone agreed once they had met him.

He was real, funny, stronger than most people I know, and he didn't have a pretentious bone in his body. He made you feel that no matter what you did, even if you were a little fourth grade girl who just said her first four letter word, you were loved.

The last time I saw my Uncle we were at the beach for my going away party. We were roasting hot dogs and listening to Johnny Cash. I think we were both sitting in lawn chairs, and the sky was a clear crystal blue. I remember thinking then of how much I treasured having him as a regular person in my life, how lucky I was to have lunch with him and Auntie Judy all the time, and how much I would miss it. So in my heart and mind I took a picture so I wouldn't forget. I thought of how I wanted my children to learn the same games and learn the same good jokes that I did. I'm so blessed to have that as my last memory of him. My children will still learn those games, tell those jokes, and feel unconditionally loved because he was a part of my life and he taught me well.

I love you Uncle Jim, and I miss you very much.

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