James Caldwell “Jim” Brooks age 94 of Hartselle was born December 22, 1922 Madison County, Alabama and passed to new adventures on February 6, 2017.
Funeral service will be Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 1:00pm at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Brooks and Steve Brooks officiating with burial in the Burningtree Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Peck Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be from 11:00am until service time on Thursday at the funeral home.
James, mostly called Jim, spent his childhood growing up in New Hope, Alabama, 10th of the 13 children of John and Anna Brooks. Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters Dorothy, Naomi, Ludie, Lucille, and Bervene; brothers, Leonard, Edwin, Neal, Paul, and Roy; and by his son Rodney Kent Brooks.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maud McGlocklin Brooks, his children, Ricky (Amy) Brooks (Hartselle AL), Sharon (Duane) Farmer (Murfreesboro TN), Lori (Lionel) Sheppard (Hartselle AL) and Lisa Brooks (Coppell TX); his grandchildren, Jared (Kristine) Brooks, Anthony (Danielle) Brooks, Adam (Tina) Sheppard, Chase Sheppard, Eric (Jackie) Farmer, John (Tabitha) Farmer, Rebecca (Colton) Stinson, and Nathan Brooks; 11 great-grandchildren Melinda, Alex, McKenzie, Zoe, Ella, Sophia, Sean, Brooke, James, Caroline and Evelyn; sister Ruth Mitchell; brother William Thomas (Betty) Brooks; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Jim served in the United States Navy aboard merchant ships during World War II. After the war, he traveled around the mid-west working the wheat harvest. He returned to Alabama to attend Auburn University where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Dairy Science. His career included sales, dairy testing, dairy farm management, Alabama Dairy Commission auditor, and owner/operator of Brooks Country Hams in Hartselle, Alabama. He enjoyed his small farm and raising various animals through the years – a horse or two for his children to ride, chickens, rabbits, a few cows and hogs for fresh meat and those cured country hams. He also enjoyed his vegetable garden and took classes to become a Master Gardener.
Jim loved the Lord and for many years served as elder of the Union Church of Christ in Somerville, Alabama. He wanted to make sure he took all his family, friends and as many as he could to the ultimate celebration in heaven. He enjoyed opening his home to family and old and new friends for Sunday lunch and numerous other times for social activities. He never opposed a get-together or party. Jim loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. We will miss him being here with us.
