James Arnold Brooks

James Brooks entered the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ Sunday, March 29, after a full and rich life. James was born in Paris, Illinois, October 13, 1936. The older son of Virguel and Lela Fern Brooks, James first heard the gospel of Jesus Christ as a young boy and responded in faith. At the age of 14 he dedicated himself to serving the Lord with his gifts and abilities. After graduating from Chrisman High School (IL) in 1954, he enrolled at Bob Jones University, where he graduated with a B.S. in Art in 1958. A year later James married Ruth Ellen Cheatham and moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where he began his career as an illustrator, graphic designer, and wildlife artist. In 1972, Jim and Ruthie moved to Greenville along with their four children where he began a long ministry at Bob Jones University. He served as art director for BJU Press, creative director with Public Liaison, and as a member of the art faculty in his later years. In 2004, Jim married Edith Ann Soderberg, both of whom had lost their spouses to cancer in 1998. Jim was a talented artist, an avid outdoorsman, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

Jim is survived by his wife Edith Ann Soderberg Brooks; his daughter Rebecca Dawn (John) Kennedy, his daughter Elizabeth Ann (Steve) Whigham, his son Jonathan Daniel (Kristen) Brooks, and his daughter Jennifer Lynn (Elliot) Figueroa, his stepdaughter Robin Soderberg (John) Monczewski, and stepdaughter Cynthia Soderberg (Steven) Dickinson. Jim was blessed with 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.

A visitation and funeral service are planned for Friday, April 10, at White Oak Baptist Church in Greenville, where Jim and Edith have been members in recent years. Visitation begins at 12:30pm, the funeral service at 2:00pm, and a brief committal service at Woodlawn Memorial Park immediately following.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to www.equipnet.org/missionaries/zkuriyama in support of Jim’s granddaughter Kailyn Kuriyama and her husband Zion and family, missionaries serving through YWAM.