William Lester Brooks

Dr. William Lester Brooks Jr., 88, a native of Charlotte, peacefully transitioned on January 14, 2012 at Southminster Health Care, after a gradual decline in health. Known to most as "Les", or "Doc", and as "Buddy" in his youth, he was truly a buddy to many in Charlotte, the city he loved so much. He was the son of the late William Lester Brooks, Sr. and Oren Ritch "Peg" Brooks. Lester loved to recall the Charlotte of his youth, when the southern edge of the city was the end of the streetcar line at Myers Park.

Dr. Brooks graduated from McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN in 1941 and from Princeton University in 1945, including service in the Navy ROTC. Early in life Lester knew he was called to be a physician. He attained his medical degree at Duke University in 1947 and interned in Richmond at Medical College of Virgina. He served his residency in Cleveland, OH at University Hospitals. He was a member of the golf teams at McCallie and Princeton, and also played on the Duke team, while in med school, after being recruited by the coach. At McCallie he won the Mid-South golf championship. While working in the UNC infirmary he met a patient who became the love of his life, the former Patty Ann Frizzell of Bristol, TN. They were married on June 16, 1950, and were married for 61 years.

During the Korean War he served as a First Lieutenant in the Army, and was stationed in Sasebo, Japan meeting the medical needs of service men going into and out of Korea. Patty and their first child, Janet, flew to Japan and lived with him there for 18 months. The family returned to Cleveland so that Lester could complete his residency. They returned to Charlotte in 1954, and Dr. Brooks established his practice as a family physician, partnering with the late Dr. Preston White. He later established a practice known as Charlotte Internal Medicine Associates with partners Dr. Dewey Dorsett, Dr. Jesse Craven, Dr. Dowe Albright and Dr. John Holevas. Lester was beloved by his patients, and practiced in the days when a family doctor still made house calls at any hour of the night. He was known for spending as much time as needed with his patients, and many would say he treated not only their bodies, but their minds and spirits as well. He cherished his work. He was an active member of the NC Medical Society and served as president of The Mecklenberg County Medical Society.

Dr. Brooks worked through and rose above the effects of a congenital back defect, which gave him life long pain, as far back as standing at attention during military drills at McCallie School. In retirement he became an advocate for back pain research and eventually established the "Brooks Laboratory For Back Pain Research" at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, along with a chair in Rheumatology at Duke University Medical School.

Dr. Brooks was a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church, and served on its board of directors as well as that of the YMCA. He enjoyed his memberships in the Charlotte Sportsman's Club, the Piedmont Club, the Colonnade Society of The Duke Mansion, and Charlotte Country Club. He was a life time member of the Iron Dukes of Duke University. He was a member of the "Golden M Society" at McCallie School, where he established the annual "Brooks Scholarship". The mountains of North Carolina had a special place in his heart, especially the Linville area. Despite his many commitments, he always made time for his family.

Lester was usually a man of few words, who led by example. He had a natural desire to do the right thing, was a friend who could be relied upon, was a fan of the underdog, and saw the goodness in each person he met. He was always ruminating on what he could do to help out someone else. In his later retirement years, he so cherished the fellowship with his wonderful "lunch buddies" several times each week!

In addition to his parents Dr. Brooks was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Jean Miller, and her husband, Lester's very close friend, Frank Thomas Miller. Survivors include his wife, Patty Ann Brooks, and their children: Janet Brooks Dudley and her husband John E. Dudley of Scotland Neck, NC and their son John Brooks Dudley of Charlotte; William Lester Brooks III of Vancouver, WA and his daughters Jessica Brooks Tharp and husband Kyle Tharp of Worland, WY, Hannah Latendresse Brooks of Portland, OR, and Sumner Latendresse Brooks of Redondo Beach, CA; and Carter Brooks MacBain and her husband George MacBain IV of Charlotte and their sons George William MacBain and Benjamin Albert MacBain, both of Charlotte. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Natalie and Beckett Tharp. He is also survived by his nieces: Jean Miller Sullivan of Charlotte, Anne Miller Simons of Raleigh, and Peggy Miller Sykes of Raleigh by cousins: Barbara Jackson of Birmingham, AL, Susan Brooks Kirkland of Sugar Mtn, NC and Peggy O. Wilson of High Point, NC.

A service to celebrate the life of Lester Brooks will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday January 17, 2012 at Myers Park United Methodist Church with the Reverend James Howell officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Dr. Brooks on Monday the 16th of January from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

The family would like to thank all of those who cared for Dr. Brooks, including those at Mercy Hospital, Sardis Oaks, Southminster Retirement Community, Partners In Care, and Lizardo Cabrera. Special thanks to Rev. Walter Pegues and his wife Brenda, and to Jimmilea King, of Vancouver, WA, a very special addition to our lives.

Memorials may be made to Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 or The Brooks Laboratory For Back Pain Research, c/o Carolinas HealthCare Foundation, Inc., Attn: Scott Kerr, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232.