May 22, 2024, 85, Grifton —
September 27, 1938 – May 22, 2024
Robert “Bob” Charles Brooks, 85 years old, of Grifton, NC, passed away on May 22, 2024, at his home after a long battle with cancer. Bob was born in N. Dighton, MA on Sept. 27, 1938, to John and Edith Kay Brooks. At 14 years of age, he moved to Butner, NC with his family and graduated from Creedmoor High School. He served in the United States Air Force as an air traffic controller. After four years in the service, he returned to Butner to be close to his family where he worked for 8 years with Mt. Hope Finishing Company, a textile plant, as an inspector. He then delivered milk before being hired as a delivery driver for UPS. He went into management with UPS and moved to Kinston, NC. He helped open the Greenville Center in 1979 and the Center in Puerto Rico in 1985. For several years he worked as an auditor for the eastern NC region before returning to operations in Greenville and Kinston. He retired from the Kinston Center in 1995.
Bob was the first soccer coach for North Lenoir High School where he coached his sons John and Matt. A fan of baseball and hockey, many of his vacations included trips to MLB parks to watch the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. When the Carolina Hurricanes came to N.C. he became a season ticket holder for many years. Vacations to Williamsburg, Disney World, Hershey Park, Washington, DC, and the zoos in those areas were part of the places that the family visited.
Bob was a hard worker and spent many hours at his workplace. Oftentimes, he would take time out of his evening to go to his child’s sports game and then return to work. Bob was a family man who worked hard to provide for his family. He wanted them to grow up and be successful and happy. His grandchildren brought him great joy, especially during his illness when they would come and visit him. Bob had a wry sense of humor which he displayed even through his illness. His generosity showed his big heart. He sent support to a boy from Central America, the Special Olympics, and several other charities that supported children and veterans.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, his aunts and uncles, his sister Wilma, and his daughter Robin. Bob is survived by his wife of 46 years, Ella Fitzpatrick Brooks, and his sons: Ronald, Robert, Remington and his wife Kristi, John, Matthew, and his wife Kasi, and his daughter Brittany and her husband William Revels. His grandchildren, Rachel and Hannah, Keason, Kristin and Katelyn, Wyatt and Sloan, Brady, Lily and Charlie. He is also survived by his brother John and his wife Julia, sisters-in-law Dondra Asbury, Sharon Stacy, and Judy Surface, and by his niece, Kim Cole who was one of his caregivers. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews that he thought the world of.
Bob’s funeral will be held May 28, 2024, at 11 am at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2016 Cannon-Price Rd, Grifton, NC with the Rev’d Katherine Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation and reception after in the parish hall.
Flowers are not necessary, but a memorial gift to St. John’s Cemetery Fund, PO Box 937, Grifton, NC 28530 would be appreciated, or a donation to a charity of your choice.
Although this part of the journey is over, please keep the Brooks family in your thoughts and prayers.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
