Col. John Jackson Brooks Jr.

John Jackson Brooks Jr. was born in Savannah, Georgia, on September 12, 1937, to Florence and John J. Brooks Sr. (Jack). He grew up alongside his younger sister Patricia in the Boston area where John helped with the family egg business, JJ Brooks Eggs. He developed an early love of flying after receiving rides in airplanes at the local airport and watching planes land and take off out of Logan Airport.

John attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he met the love of his life, Joyce Brightman. While in college, John pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon, played varsity lacrosse, and was a cadet in Air Force ROTC. He graduated in 1960, and he and Joyce were married that same year and headed off to Texas as the first of many homes for their family.

John received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He earned his Air Force wings as a navigator in 1961, and as a pilot in 1966. He went on to fly one of the Air Force’s newest jet aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker. At the same time, he and Joyce were embracing life with three young children, John (Jay), Janine, and James (Jamey/Jim).

During his early years of military service, John and Joyce traveled across the country as John received different assignments while raising a growing family. He served in Vietnam multiple times, flying both C-123s and KC-135s. He was a fearless pilot who put the lives of others before his own. On one occasion, against regulations, he flew across enemy lines to help rescue a distressed fighter pilot whose aircraft had been badly damaged.

John was later assigned as an advisor to the Maine Air National Guard in Bangor, where he was instrumental in converting the active-duty refueling mission to the Air National Guard. While there, John had many memorable assignments, including escorting President Carter’s mother one evening when she arrived in Bangor.

After being promoted to Colonel, John moved to Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro North Carolina where he retired from the Air Force in 1985 after 26 years of distinguished service. His courage, leadership and dedication earned him numerous military honors, including the Bronze Star and the prestigious US Air Force Fairchild Trophy.

In retirement, John and Joyce moved to Dover, New Hampshire where they could be closer to their parents and extended family. John began a second career with United Services Life Insurance Company where he received numerous accolades.

In 2000, John and Joyce fulfilled a longtime dream of building a home and moving to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They made wonderful friends, traveled extensively, and spent time with his sister and family who also had a home there. They always made time for visitors, family and their six grandchildren.

Eventually, John and Joyce felt the pull of North Carolina, where their son Jim, his wife Lou, and their children had settled. In 2017, they moved to Twelve Oaks in Holly Springs where they made many new friends. They enjoyed concerts, traveling throughout the world, discovering all that the Triangle had to offer, and, most importantly, spending time with family.

In 2023, John and Joyce decided that Templeton of Cary would be the perfect setting for their next adventure. True to their nature, they quickly became part of the community, meeting new friends and remaining active in activities including mahjong and bocce. Their daughter and family moved closer to them, allowing John and Joyce to spend even more time with family.

John’s life was defined by courage, service, love of family, curiosity, and willingness to help others. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and mentor. Whether serving his country, building a career, traveling the world, or simply enjoying time with the people he loved, John lived a full and meaningful life.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; his children, Jay (Patricia) Brooks, Janine (Ben) Schilders, and Jim (Lou) Brooks; his sister Patricia (Jim) Umile and their children; his six grandchildren, Kelly (Michael), Rebecca (John), Will (Sarah), John (Lindsey), Nick, and Brooks; and his four great-grandchildren, Nolan, Emerson, Adair, and Brooke.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, and his legacy of courage, service, love, and adventure will live on in all who know him.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to your favorite charity or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research | Parkinson's Disease.

Services for John will be held at The Templeton of Cary, 215 Brightmore Dr., Cary, at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday September 8th.