The family of James Raymond Brooks will be holding a memorial service at 6 PM Tuesday, December 21st, 2021, at St. Michael’s Church, 2900 Canal Blvd, Hays Kansas. The service will be followed by an informal remembrance in the parish hall, with refreshments. We ask those attending the service in person to be vaccinated and wear masks. If you would like to attend virtually, please contact St. Michael’s (stmichaelshays.org) to get on the list to receive a Zoom link.
James was a proud son of Hays who loved the city’s rich history. He was born to Raymond and Tina Mae Brooks on November 23, 1939. He died September 23, 2020, in Leavenworth, KS due to pneumonia brought on by COVID-19.
Jim was an old-school techie, a lifelong ham radio enthusiast and early adopter of personal computers. Radio was his greatest passion, and under call sign K0JJV he tested the limits of ham radio.
Jim attended Kansas State University for a couple of years and finished his degree at Fort Hays with a bachelor’s in Communications. He started as a radio DJ at KAYS in his late teens, and continued a radio/TV/advertising career there after graduating from Fort Hays. He proved to be a “jack of all trades” with many career pivots. While a lead technician at Sykes Enterprises, Jim used his resonant radio voice and his technical savvy to soothe the most difficult phone customers.
Jim was a lifetime member of St. Michael’s Episcopal church in Hays. A board member for several years, he also served as a popular lay reader. He cleaned the church and prepared the bulletins himself for many years, and his dearest wish was to ensure St. Michael’s carries on as a strong and vibrant parish for future generations in Hays.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl Brooks, and survived by Barbara DeBauge (sister), Amy (daughter), Brian (son), and granddaughters Olive and Lucy.