Obituary

Charles Ellsworth Brooks was born in Eagle Bend, Minnesota on June 7, 1932 to Rueben and Mernie (Severson) Brooks. He was baptized at Elmo Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie, MN in 1932 by Pastor J.L. Drage and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran in Almora, MN in 1945 by Pastor R.L. Bode. Charles attended a small country school from 1st to 8th grade in Almora, MN and attended high school in Henning, MN. He later received his GED in the service.
After enlisting in the U.S Army in 1949 and completing basic training, Charles went to fight in the Korean War. He was wounded twice and received two Purple Hearts, four Bronze Stars, one Silver Star and other Medals. The last injury left him behind and a Korean farmer helped hide him and later took him to the 38th parallel and covered him with a tarp. He lived on sweet potatoes and water for nineteen days. When the military found him and uncovered the tarp, the only thing he saw was a gun pointed at him and he heard one of the men say, “Don’t shoot, it’s an American.” He weighed 119 pounds when he got to the Red Cross Hospital Ship off of Pusan, Korea. In March of 1953, he attended the atomic bomb blast near Las Vegas and, after the bomb went off, he was one of the men who walked up to ground zero. All in all, he spent 28 ½ years in the Armed Forces, National Guard, and Army Reserves, which was the 50th General Hospital stationed at St. Luke’s in Bellingham.
He worked at the Alaska Lumber and Pulp Co. in Sitka, Alaska from 1959 to 1969 and transferred to Intalco Aluminum Co. and later to Western Washington University, where he retired in 1994. His main job was an electrician. His joy was being a Ham Radio Operator and going camping in the motor home. He was president of the Military Sams (a chapter of the Good Sams). Charles was instrumental in forming that chapter and presenting the flags at each outing along with burning the United States Flag with dignity when it was no longer suitable to fly, a very patriotic affair. He was very proud of his military service.
Charles married Myrtle “Ann” (Floding) Brooks in September of 1952 and they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this last September. From this union, two sons were born; Rick Dean and Dana Allen. He was so very proud of his boys.
He was preceded in death by his mother, brother, and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Ann; two sons, Rick (Marcella) and Dana (Janet); granddaughter Lorinda; grandsons Jeremy (Angie), Stephen, Paul and Lucas; great grandchildren, Hailey and Jacob; and sister Jean Williams.
Chuck was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as Elder, Cantor, and Choir member. He believed that Jesus was his Lord and Savior. Well done, good and faithful servant.
A visitation will be held Sunday, August 9, 4:00pm until 6:00pm at the Chapel at Moles Greenacres. Services will be Monday, August 10th, at Trinity Lutheran with visitation at 10:00am followed by a funeral service at 11:00am. A graveside service will take place at Greenacres Memorial Park at 2:00pm. Military honors and pallbearing provided by Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Whatcom Hospice.