Charles Edward Brooks

Charles Edward Brooks, 82, was born on August 18, 1943, in Springfield, Illinois to George and Georgia Brooks. Charles earned his wings on September 1, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona with his wife, Collette, by his side.

Charles and family left Illinois in 1952 and moved to Aurora, Colorado. Charles has two sisters, Mary and Claudia. Charles was raised in a Catholic home and remembers looking through the big family Bible where a lot of the biblical stories were illustrated and he enjoyed looking at those pictures. Charles believes the words spoken by Jesus.

If you asked Charles if he got into any trouble as a child he had trouble narrowing it down, and there were a few! I’ll let you read between the lines, but Charles had made a zip gun, which he said was a rocket for a science project, he knew what he was making. This zip gun was on display at the Aurora Police Department for many years as a confiscated weapons by juveniles. Seems that a “brainy idea” he had didn’t work out so well. Some stray bullets ended up hitting the neighbor’s house. Charles also had the “wanderlust”. There were numerous times that his dad had to go look for him. It stayed with him all these years, you would have to ask a store manager to announce there was a missing husband.

Charles attended Aurora Central High School. After high school, Charles enlisted into the Navy on August 20, 1960. Charles did his basic training in Falon, Neveda and then transferred to Oahu, Hawaii where he was an Aviation Specialist. His main job was to fuel the jets. During his time in the Navy he would make extra money by ironing other sailors’ uniforms and babysitting for Commanding Officers. Charles was discharged in September 1964.

After returning home from the military, Charles graduated Cosmetology School. Charles was introduced to his wife, Collette, by his best friend, Gene. Which later Gene became their nephew by marriage. Gene set them up as a blind date. Collette says she has been blind ever since, Just kidding! They met in October 1964, became engaged on Christmas Eve, and Married in January 1965. Was that a whirlwind courtship or what? To that union they had one daughter, Michelle Genese Brooks/Whitman, who passed away in 1993 after a double lung transplant.

Charles was a jack of all trades and a master of all. Charles worked for Western Electric and owned numerous businesses’. Charles was very much an artist and craftsman. Charles could do anything. He was a beautiful cabinet maker, woodworker, and handyman. He even built a house boat and used it quite often. I remember one time he put a new transmission in a minivan. He was wearing dress slacks and dress shirt. The only grease he had on him was from his wrists to his fingertips.

Charles enjoyed many activities, cooking and reading about the military and American History. Charles was very proud of his father’s WWII history. Charles treasurers a 400 year old sword that his father purchased in a Pawn Shop in England during WWII. Charles enjoyed building American Native Indian weaponry and artifacts. Charles would research the tribe and go from there. He would search for the correct wood, feathers, paint etc. and then begin his project.

In his early years, Charles loved fishing the Colorado streams and lakes. In fact, Charles would save the leftover worms and if he wasn’t using them for bait he would try to feed them to his sister Mary. Naturally Mom and Dad had to intervene.

Charles loved the holidays, especially Christmas. His house was always decorated to the max. He was referred to as “Chuck Griswald”. He would take Christmas decorations that did not move, rebuild them, put a motor in them so everything was animated.

Charles was a member of his local American Legion Post, VFW, DAV, and served on his HOA Board of his community (Lesueur Estates) for several years.

Charles was always the life of every party; his smile, laughter, and antics were simply contagious. Charles was always looking on the brighter side of things and truly lived his life to the fullest. Charles enjoyed being around family and friends. Charles always opened his arms to anyone and everyone. Charles was a proud Patriot, but most of all a devoted husband, father, and brother.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, George and Georgia Brooks, his daughter, Michelle, his granddaughter, Kellie and his niece Carrie.

Charles is survived by his wife, Collette of 60 years, two sisters, Mary Rable (Ricky), Claudia Winger (Bill), Brother-in-law Wesley “Sonny” Day (Shirley), Son-in-law, Stan Whitman (Bev), Grandson, Kenyon Whitman, Nephew Rick Stevenson, (Nancy) Niece Angelia Osborn, (Montgomery), Nephew Jamie Winger. (Gaby), Niece Heather Dingman, (Brad), Great-nephews Joe Stevenson (Kelly), Jason Stevenson, (Shaye), Brandon Dingman, Traevin Osborn, Cameron Dingman, Tylan Osborn, Diego Winger, and Nicolas Winger, Great-Great Niece, Charlotte Stevenson, Great-Great Nephews, Ezra and Oliver Stevenson.

Charles will be truly missed and loved by all.

A visitation will be held on September 20, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Journey of Grace Church of the Nazarene , 955 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85203, US.

The funeral service will follow at Journey of Grace Church of the Nazarene on the same day, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Donations in memory of Charles Edward Brooks can be made to the Donor Network of Arizona, accessible at (https://www.dnaz.org/).