Jack Brooks, Jr. quietly slipped into eternal rest on February 19, 2019 at the “Heroes Harbor” Hospice Unit at Cleveland’s Louis Stokes Veteran’s Medical Center. Jack, who was born on April 5, 1927, was the third of 6 children born to Jack and Irene Brooks in West Point, Georgia. His Sisters Bessie and Kay Frances and his brother Ben, preceded him in death. Jack was called “Baby” by his family. This nickname stuck throughout his young adult life. In his early years, he attended Bethlehem Baptist Church and graduated from Tenth Street School, where he played basketball. After graduation from Tenth Street, Jack became a cab driver, working in West Point and surrounding counties. In 1950 Jack married Dorothy Whitlow. To this union were born two children, Cedric and Malvolia, or, “Buster” and “Jackie” as they were affectionately called. In 1952 Jack joined the U.S. Army during the time of the Korean War. He also served in Vietnam. Jack later traveled with his wife and children to Germany, and several other posts of duty throughout the United States. During his 20 year Military Service from 1952 to 1972, Jack earned the rank of E7. While in the Army, his job was that of a cook. He not only cooked, but learned how to plan, purchase, manage, organize, facilitate and feed hundreds of hungry soldiers at one time. This experience prepared Jack for his post military career. After retiring, Jack was motivated and enthusiastic about using his skills and the wealth of knowledge gained as a cook and food manager in the army. He decided to stay in Virginia and became a private contractor for the military. Jack’s job was to provide KP services, KP equipment and hire personnel to implement these services in military dining facilities. Some of the sites Jack serviced were, Ft. Belvoir, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Ft. Lee and Little Creek. He had approximately 175 people working for him. In his true entrepreneurial spirit, Jack embarked on another business venture. In 1977, he started a Janitorial Service. Jack continued to move in harmony with his first love, cooking. He would later become a restaurant owner and enjoy years of making others happy with delicious meals and a good time. In his later years, he moved to Cleveland to be closer to his sister Dorothy, who became his confidant, constant companion and right hand, especially when his health began to fail. His sister Katherine, as well as his children, would visit and check up on him from time to time to try to keep him in line. (No luck there)! In his passing, Jack leaves pieces of his heart with his wife Dorothy, their two children, Malvolia (Lawrence) Gregory, Cedric (Stephanie) Brooks, his sisters, Dorothy Ferrell, Katherine Davidson and Dorothy (Jerome) Swanson, 8 grand children, 1 great grandson, many nieces and nephews. Jack is remembered with love and has a special place in the hearts of his sons, Jothaniel Zeigler, Joshua (Tara) Harris, daughter, Kepreisha Leslie as well as many other family members and dear friends.

Funeral service Tuesday, March 5, 2019 10am at Holy Trinity Baptist Church, 3808 E.131st. Family will receive friends at 930am. Burial will be at 130pm at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road Seville, OH 44270.