James Brooks

Mr. Brooks died Sunday, January 4, 2009 in Mountain Home at the age of 78. He was born Friday, October 31, 1930 in Nashville, Tennessee, son of Jesse R. and Frances Park Brooks. On November 24, 1954, he married Kathryn June Haley in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a retired Senior Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, and was the Vanderbilt University Chemistry Department Administrator for twenty years. Mr. Brooks lived in Cotter for four years, moving from Nashville, Tennessee, and was a member of the Cotter Planning Commission, Cotter Chamber of Commerce, and the Tennessee Long Hunters. Mr. Brooks was a true renaissance man; he was an artist, a poet, a musician and a tinkerer. He enjoyed living on the river in Cotter, possessed a wonderful sense of humor, and was a shameless flirt. Mr. Brooks was at peace with this world and brave in his Lord. Survivors: He is survived by his daughter, Karen (John) Montgomery of Mountain Home, AR, son, Mark (Donna) Brooks of Madison, TN, brothers, Jesse Wayne Brooks, Charles David Brooks, and Joel Van Brooks, all of Nashville, TN, and grandchildren Michael Erixon, Brittany Brooks, and Benjamin Brooks. Preceded in Death by: He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Brooks, his parents, brother Donald Brooks, and sister Dorothy Brooks. Visitation: Visitation will be 1 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. at Kirby and Family Funeral Home. Funeral: Funeral services for James Ira Brooks of Cotter, AR, will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Mountain Home, with Reverend Dr. David Johnson officiating. Burial: Burial will be in the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery - Nashville, Tennessee. Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation.