Charles Albert Brooks

Charles Albert Brooks, age 67, of Lumpkin County, Georgia, passed away July 5, 2014 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center of complications following a heart procedure. Charlie was born in Greenville, Indiana, July 26, 1946, to Oakley Charles and Betty Louretta (Burris) Brooks. He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1964 and attended Indiana University for a short time, then entered the United States Air Force in 1965. He served one tour of duty in Viet Nam and another in Okinawa, Japan, and was honorably discharged in 1976. His 100% service-connected disability was recognized in 2011. He retired as a USPS Letter Carrier in 2001 and after residing in Florida for 30 years, moved to Lumpkin County in 2008. Charlie was an avid Indiana University basketball and Tampa Bay Rays baseball fan, and his passions were woodworking, computing, travel, cooking, and celebrating Christmas. He is survived by his life partner, Gayle Brooks, of Dahlonega; children Troy James (Angela Velocci) Brooks and Lana Suan Toenjes of St Petersburg, Florida; five grandchildren: Oakley James, Vincent Michael and Alexandria Marie Brooks, and Amber Marie and Rebecca Sara Toenjes, all of St Petersburg. A celebration of life will be held locally, and Charlie will be laid to rest with military honors later at the Florida National Veterans Administration Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. In lieu flowers, donations may be made to the Holly Theater in Dahlonega.