July 25, 1956 – October 4, 2024
John Marshall Brooks of Summerville, SC, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, in Charleston, SC, surrounded lovingly by his wife and daughter. John was born on July 25, 1956, in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of Sherry Lee Brooks Jr. and Charlene (Dennis) Brooks.
John grew up in Kalamazoo, graduating from Loy Norrix High School in 1974. While growing up, John discovered his love for music and theater, performing in various plays in high school and at the Kalamazoo Civic Theater. As an adult, John first worked for the American National Bank. He eventually followed his passion for adventure and travel, graduating from Davenport College with a degree in travel. John was a travel agent for AAA Travel Agency Kalamazoo, Battle Creek Travel, and AAA Travel Agency Battle Creek for twenty-two years.
John was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2004, which he overcame due to a bone marrow transplant gifted to him by his brother, Scott Brooks, ultimately giving him seventeen more years of life. This event led John to join the ministry, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Duke University with a master’s degree. John was the pastor at Gobles United Methodist Church and Kendall United Methodist Church from 2015 to 2019.
John was united in marriage with his wife, Terri Cline, in Kalamazoo on August 19, 1978, who survives. Also surviving are daughter Courtney (Ryan) Smokoska and grandson Luca Smokoska of Kalamazoo; one sister, Jackie (Mike) Johnson of Kalamazoo; one brother, Scott Brooks of Kalamazoo; one sister-in-law, Linda (Norm) Deal; one brother-in-law, Bruce (Kimberly) Cline; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Robby Brooks; sister, Cindy Stock; mother-in-law, Patricia Cline; brother-in-law, James Cline; and brother-in-law, Gary Cline.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, at First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo. Contributions may be directed to Grace Outside-Lake Michigan Camp, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and The Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation.
*Brooks, John M. (Terri Ann) – DECEASED [(RL) PL 2015; FL 2016; RL 2020] Gobles, Kendall (PL ¾) 2015; Gobles, Kendall 2016; Without appointment 2019; Retired 1/1/2020.
Last Updated on October 17, 2024