Keith Kenneth Brooks

Keith Kenneth Brooks, age 67, of Chester Township, passed away Oct. 14, 2010, at Hospice House in Cleveland, after a long illness. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 23, at Fellowship United Church of Christ, 30040 Ridge Road, Wickliffe 44092. He was the dearly beloved husband of 42 years of Donna (nee Fons); loving father of Darren of Los Angeles, Tammy of Willoughby, Colin (Michela) of Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Evan of Los Angeles; beloved grandpa of Ivy and Olivia; and dear friend of Jay Rowls. A longtime resident of Chester Township, Mr. Brooks practiced law in both Cleveland and Chardon. Keith took great pride in serving as president of the Mental Health Association in Geauga County for 15 years, during which time he received the Annual Geauga County Behavioral Health Care Advocacy Award. He was a founding member of Welcome House, a facility for the mentally challenged with eleven homes. He also was a volunteer adult guardianship attorney for more than 10 years. Keith's primary focus was always family and he found joy in working in the yard at the family home and spending quality time there. He loved the outdoors and golfing. Sailing and deep sea diving were special to him. He was an active church member all of his life, having served as moderator at the Community Church of Chesterland and was active in the churches where his wife, Donna, served as pastor. Born in Orange, N.J., Keith attended schools in Livingston, N.J., graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and received both his law degree and his M.B.A. from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carolyn and Kenneth Brooks. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119.