Warren Brooks

Warren was born in West Virginia on February 11th, 1936. He joined the Marine Corps at 17 years old. We lived next door to each other in West Virginia. He has a sister Yvonne Boyle. Warren loved to play cards or video games with her now deceased husband, Walter.He giggled and goofed a lot. He and Walt are now playing games together again. We have two daughters Carmen Brooks and Tracy Kauffman. Five granddaughters Erin Ruiz, Ryan Ruiz (Carmen and Frank Ruiz girls) the live in Tucson, AZ. Rachel, Jessica and Kristin Kauffman who live in Spokane, Washington with parents Tracy and Jeff Kauffman. Warren moved to moved to Tucson in 1959 from Chicago (too cold there). We married in 1962 I moved here (too hot for me) He bought 2 acres on the west side and he loved the southwest. He worked in the copper mines as a heavy equipment operator. I always teased him about coming home from work and kissing the land, the kids, the dogs, then saying "Hey you, is dinner ready"? Couldn't remember my name, even then. We visited my brother Johnny and wife Toni Woodrum in Colorado for years. Our nieces Tina and Michelle took him fishing where each time one or the other put a lure in him. But he had fun. Toni could cook!! Very impatient for her. He called her "Women who cooks". He would go to Colorado or Washington to visit but he always wanted to return to his land and the desert. My cousin Becky Winter started visiting in recent years. She spoiled him. When confused he called me Becky a lot. His Mom and my Dad and Mom lived on our acres with us. They have all passed but Warren loved them all very much. His mom's cooking, arguing with my mom and trying to fix something with my dad. Recurring theme here (food!) Our neighbors Dick and Bertha McCutcheor were always there for us. Their boys and our girls grew up next door to each other. He and Bertha pulled pranks on each other. Tabasco Sauce in cupcakes, rocks in Walter's shoes, etc,. Dick kept an eye out for him to go walk about where he started wandering off. Neighbor Tim Kelly watched out for him also. Warren loved his family and friends so very much. He was quick to love, laugh and forgive. He will always be loved and missed by all who knew and loved him. - April Brooks.

The Soldiers Prayer

"And When He Gets To Heaven,

To Saint Peter He Will Tell;

One More Marine Reporting Sir,

I've Served My Time In Hell"

I came back to my friends and family in Tucson at a time in my life when I desperately need to heal. No better place than with April and Warren who have had my back since I was a kid. Warren and I sat on the porch and discussed how family was most important in our lives. Even though he could not recall my family back east that had all passed. His compassion and empathy were genuine. He spoke how he would not know what he'd do without his April. That was the first of many conversations we had on that porch for the next six glorious years. So much laughter, so much truth, so much arranging furniture, and so much fun spent under that roof. Those memories are such a treasure and will never fail to make me smile. Often he would speak of his childhood, his grandmother, his service years. How he came to be in this desert. When I brought to his attention how many lives he touched and changed by marrying my beautiful cousin, he seemed quite surprised by that concept. He just tilted his head and looked at me with those brilliant blue eyes and asked "Is that right"? Then he laughed and said the best thing he ever did was marry that girl. We all should be that fortunate to have someone love us as much as that Marine loved that girl. Warren often said that this is the best world he ever lived in and because of him he made out world a little better. Warren was truly a gentlemen. As his sister Yvonne and I were talking, anyone who knew Warren couldn't help but love him. Who could not love that smile, that giggle, and his heartfelt eagerness to help anyone in need. Most of all his total enjoyment of a funny movie. I never knew which I liked more, the movie or watching him watch the movie. A touching example of the love and respect Warren inspired came from his ex son-in-law Frank. Upon learning Warren was critical , he had his ancestorial rosary blessed and placed with Warren to make his spiritual journey easier. WOW...Think about that! It says so much--- more than any words ever could. Two different nurses told me how lucky Warren was to have so many people to love him. I thought about that for a moment, smiling I simply replied no- no you're wrong. We are the lucky ones, to have Warren. Now Warren I'm fully aware you're in charge and forgive me if I get this wrong but, Fall in rank and cover down our precious Marine. - Becky Winter ( April's Cousin)

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel South Lawn, Tucson, AZ.