"Growing up our family called him Rich, and as an adult he went with his actual first name, James. We all miss him so much and the grief can be very tough. But he lived a great life and really had a heart of gold. His love for cats and taking good care of them really defined him, past friends teased him nicknaming him Katmandu. I already miss his texts sending funny pictures from Instagram and music videos from you-tube and various other music apps. His two children were definitely the light of his life. Say "hi" to Mom & Dad and our family members & friends who have passed before us in Heaven, brother. Miss you & love you so much."
In loving memory of
James Richard Brooks
February 12, 1958 - July 9, 2019
James Richard Brooks was born on February 12, 1958 in Seattle, Washington. The youngest of six children, James grew up to be the tallest. He attended schools in Lewis County, Washington. He enjoyed his work as a delivery truck driver and business machine installer for QBSI. He never was late and never complained and was proud of his ability to wrangle photocopy machines up stairways and into narrow spaces. He certainly knew his way around Western Washington. James died on July 9 at Valley Medical Center in Kent, Washington following a massive heart attack suffered while rescuing a dog from a ravine. He loved animals, especially his two beloved cats Carl and Lid. He was concerned for feral cats in the Tukwila area feeding, capturing, and rehoming them along with another family in his apartment building.
James is survived by his children whom he greatly loved and was so proud of, Grace and Rocky; his sisters Pauletta (Bob), Susie (Tony), his brother Steve; 13 nieces and nephews; 12 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Gwen Brooks, older brothers Robert and Dennis Brooks, and his beloved cat Carl.
The lives of two people were transformed by James' posthumous donation of his corneas.
We will miss James' dry sense of humor, quirky personality, and his awesome cartoons he drew on every scrap of paper so much. He loved his family.
James' ashes will be scattered on August 10th at 1:00 pm in the Capital Forest near Elma, Washington at Porter Creek Campground. A short memorial service will be held followed by a potluck in the forest our family loves.