N. Charles Brooks

Norman Charles Brooks, 78, who was known to most acquaintances and relatives as Charlie or Bud, died Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN.

He was born November 5, 1935 in Kingsport, TN, the son of the late Nubern Castor and Nellie Lou Elkins Brooks. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant brothers who died at birth; a very young sister, Merle Estelle Brooks; and an adopted son, Mark Steven Brooks.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Jean Ferguson Brooks of the home; a brother, Milburn Flay and wife Betty Jo Sensabaugh Brooks of Eustis, FL; two sisters, Stella Marie Brooks Hickman of Sullivan Gardens, TN and Margaret Ann Brooks Smith of Ocala, FL; three nieces, Lydia Brooks Alfrey and husband Charles of Chattanooga, TN, Anna Marie Hickman Allen and husband Tommy of Brentwood, TN, Catherine Smith Odom and husband Keith of Riverview, FL; one grandniece and two grandnephews; and a host of cousins.

At the age of 24, Charlie became a Christian and joined Litz Manor Baptist Church, Kingsport, TN and last attended Fort Robinson Baptist Church, Kingsport, TN.

He was a member of the Hawkins County Genealogical and Historical Society of Hawkins County, TN where he served as a former Vice President and also wrote and contributed several articles that were published in Distant Crossroad, the Society's quarterly publication received by all members. At the recently founded Hawkins County Archives, Rogersville, TN, along with others headed by Jack Goins, where he helped to become a reality, he was listed as the Brooks Genealogical expert that he had researched with a passion.

Charlie was a great achiever as he considered every day wasted that you did not learn or study something new. He also was an avid reader and constantly researched subjects of all kinds on the internet, particularly the military. He was a member of ROTC in college where he reached Second Lieutenant rank and took part in military maneuvers at Ft. Benning, GA.

Charlie was a long time employee of Kingsport Press where he served for 40 plus years in various positions. He started his career as a draftsman, and then progressed to mechanical and electrical engineer in the Services and Engineering Department. He also served as a manager of the Bookcraft office of Manufacturing, Planning and Development and spent a period of time as Maintenance Superintendent over the shops and offices included in that department. He was among a group which made up one of the first laboratories for offset printing, his job being to oversee the electronics section. He eventually retired in 1998 as Senior Electrical Engineer.

Charlie was known all over the industry as the guy who could diagnose and fix other problems pertaining to the equipment used for printing and manufacturing books. Some people went as far as to label him a genius which he scoffed at. He said he wasn't any smarter than anyone else; he just worked hard at it. When any machinery was out of order anywhere in the plant and he was finally called in, he took it seriously because the plant was losing money. He didn't take a break or eat lunch until the machine was back up running and in production. It was his motto that if you worked for a company as an employee that you owed it to that company to do the best job you were capable of doing. Any job big or small was worth doing well.

Charlie earned his private pilot's license in 1974. It was a memorable day when he soloed for the first time. He loved to fly and did so on every occasion that he could. He also did a lot of hunting and fishing in his younger years. He took up fly fishing especially for catching trout. He had two beagles that were good rabbit hunting hounds. He loved to hunt squirrels, ducks and grouse. He always said he felt closer to God when he was in the out of doors breathing and being in the universal atmosphere that nature provides for everyone who stop long enough to enjoy it. Charlie was a special man with a brilliant mind and a heart of gold.

Early on Charlie became a lover of classical music, primarily through the influences of his older sister, Marie. He was fascinated by the beautiful notes that came from the violins, so one winter when he was recuperating from a bad burn brought on by a hunting accident, he went to a pawn shop and bought a violin (or fiddle) for $25. He practiced with a passion and soon could play songs on his cheap violin. Later in life when he could afford a better violin, he went to Joseph's Musicenter in Kingsport and purchased another instrument that had a sweeter, more mellow tone. Soon he was playing old fashion country hoedowns quite well. He started getting together with other amateur musicians who played a variety of different instruments and they played as often as possible. When they started playing music together, it would almost raise the rafters off the roof with all the beautiful melodies. They never made it to Nashville, but enjoyed it immensely. Always there was music playing in the background from the stereo while we were doing our chores. It gave us a feeling of ecstasy and peace. In his younger years he also had an Advanced License in Ham Radio.

Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport , with funeral services to follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Danny Vaughn officiating. Music will be by the Shepherd's Fold Trio and pianist, Doris Poe.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oak Hill Memorial Park with Rev. Larry Brooks officiating.

Pallbearers will be Gene Brooks, Ralph Williams, Charles Brooks, Joe Brooks, Jack Goins, and Leonard Chase.

Those who wish may make contributions to Muscular Dystrophy, P. O. Box 78342, Phoenix, AZ 85062-8342.

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