John M. Brooks
Feb. 25, 1937 - July 21, 2022

John was the true meaning of the word MAN. He worked hard, provided for his family, hunted, fished and was still cutting his own firewood, tending to his garden and taking care of himself into his 80s.

He moved his family to Trinity County in 1965 and loved every day living in the mountains. John could always be found fixing something or modifying something to make it work better. He worked as a millwright for 30+ years starting at Twin Harbors Lumber Company and ending at The Pacific Lumber Company retiring in 2004. Everyone knew that if John was on the job, it would get done and be done right. He was well known for getting the heaviest load of firewood he could. If he broke down and had to call the local tow truck driver, he was told he had to unload the wood first.

John was known as the deer whisperer. He could be seen in his yard surrounded by deer as each one got an oatmeal cookie and a pat on the head.

The last few years he kept himself busy collecting eagle quarters. All the clerks at the stores knew if he was getting change to look for an eagle quarter. It seems he must have had every eagle quarter ever minted.

John is survived by his children Susan Pryor (Dave) and John A. Brooks (Erica); grandchildren Justin Pryor (Jenna), John Brooks (Natasha), Makhila Downs (Shayne), Dakota Brooks (Hailee) and Miranda Lemke (Daniel), as well as 12 great-grandchildren whom he cherished dearly: Aiden and Colton Pryor; Kellan, Kinzley, Korbyn and Kamdyn Brooks; Addilyn and Madisyn Downs; Kaden and Bristol Brooks; Elizabeth and Vito Lemke. He is also survived by his sisters Linda Hubocan and Marie Morrow, his brother Joe Etcheberry and sister-in-law Betty Brooks.

He was predeceased by the love of his life for 62 years, Pearl, daughter Margaret Ann Brooks, son Don Brooks and brother Warren Brooks. John missed his wife so deeply that we all know he is so happy to be with her again.

There will be a gathering at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 10 a.m.

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The obituary above was submitted by John Brooks’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.