James E. Brooks

James E. Brooks, 92, died peacefully at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, NC on January 4, 2017. A veteran of World War II, he was drafted at 18 years old from his hometown of Harlan, Kentucky and served in the U.S. Navy on Kwajalein Atoll helping to rebuild the small war-torn landmass and establish the largest Allied military base in the South Pacific. Jimmy repaired war-damaged planes on Kwajalein for the remainder of the war. He became an expert at, in his words, "fixin' up the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, Avengers, B-25 Mitchells, Curtiss C-46 Commandos, and Wildcats that came limping back in need of repair for further battle against Axis forces"…who were often within sight on Kwajalein's shores. In 1949 he married his Loyall High School sweetheart and love of his life Bobbye Howard Brooks, who passed away in 2013. James E. Brooks was an author, writing a book in 2014. In his book, My Memories of World War II, he shared a hope that young people will remember the lessons of WWII. Jimmy lived a life of community service with Key Club, March of Dimes, American Legion, Optimist Club, VFW, the food pantry and clothes closet at First Baptist Church, and Habitat for Humanity. He enjoying speaking with all ages about WWII. Jimmy worked many years in retail merchandising at stores including Spainhour's in Statesville, his home for more than 40 years. Jimmy loved God, his wife Bobbye, his family, his friends, and his country. He will be dearly missed. Jimmy is preceded in death by his wife Bobbye Howard Brooks, his parents William Thurman and Mary Dina Winchester Brooks, and sisters Maxine Brooks Veach, Monna Brooks, and Ercel Brooks Cunigan. Jimmy is survived by his daughter and her husband Jennifer and J.J. Griffith of Statesville, NC, his son Preston Brooks of Charlotte, NC, his grandson and husband Brian and Patrick Griffith-Paige of Charlotte, NC, grandson John Michael Griffith of Lexington, KY, and dear family in Kentucky. --- Military Burial will be in the Salisbury National Cemetery, located at 202 Government Rd. in Salisbury, NC on January 9, 2017 at 2:00pm. A funeral will be held at First Baptist Church 4:00 pm, Monday, January 9, 2017 located at 815 Davie Ave. with the Rev. Nelson Granade officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the funeral service at the church. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or Iredell Christian Ministries, 752 Old Salisbury Road Statesville, NC 28677. Nicholson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.