Mr. Charles Edward Brooks, 84, of Crossett, died Friday, January 15, at his residence after a four year battle with cancer. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and attended Faith Ministries Church of Crossett.

Charles was born on December 17, 1925 to John Wesley and Ada Malloy Brooks in Crossett, AR. He served in the US Army 82nd Airborne Infantry Division from 1944-1946 during World War II, with overseas duty in Japan. Upon return from military service he worked briefly for the Crossett Paper Mill before he went into the chemical wood business and an independent contractor. For 56 years, he contracted with The Crossett Company, Tommy Reynolds Saw Mill and Georgia Pacific and other mills before closing down the business in 2002. He started with two employees and grew to 83 employees in the mid-1990s. His company was the first and only to deliver over 1 million board feet of saw logs in one work week to the Georgia Pacific saw mill once located 5 miles south of El Dorado, AR. He was an active member for 60 of the 61 years of the Crossett Riding Club and was an outspoken supporter of the sport of rodeo, the local riding club and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He had a strong interest in the area youth and was a strong supporter of the local school system, its' sports programs and many community youth activites. He supported local financial efforts towards charities, especially The Ashley County Sheltered Workshop. He was a member of the Crossett Area Chamber of Commerce and served under Governor Clinton and the Arkansas Draft Board Advisory Council.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Harold Brooks, Erma Gardner, Lucille Donovan White, Verdell Hart and John T. Brooks. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Hanry Brooks and his friend and companion Jean Sparks.

He is survived by children: Elizabeth Ann Brooks Laney, Johh Charles "Sonny", wife Elizabeth Brooks, James Edward "Jim", wife Sheri Brooks, Cynthia L. "Cindy", husband Timmy Weaver, Stacey Hanry, husband Greg Chace all of Crossett, AR, and Charles Bradley "Brad" Brooks of Little Rock, AR, ten grandchildren: Kara Brooks, husband Jay Greiner & James Bryson Brooks all of Greenbrier, AR, Tannie Adamic, husband Larry Courson, John Charles Brooks, Jr., SunniDeb Weaver, Daniella Paulina "Danni" Dolan, Matthew Remington "Remi" Chace all of Crossett, AR, Miranda Adamic Gray of Slidell, LA, Kelsey Brooks & Sarah Brooks, husband Taylor Cauthen all of Clarksdale, MS, five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, one "special friend" and cousin Robert Faye Malloy, his special church friend, Sage Brewer, and many,many friends.

Services will be held Monday, January 18 at the Cap Gates Arena, Jim Shoulders Drive, weather permitting. If inclement weather occurs, it will be held at the First Baptist Church of Crossett, 701 Main Street. A musical tribute will begin at 1:00 pm, the services will begin at 2:00 pm. Officiating will be Buddy Kinney, Nolan Watson, Herbert Allison, Father George Hart, Bettye Griffin, Richard Earl Griffin & Charlotte Penson Hogan. Active pallbearers are: Justin Gray, Brent Sharrick, Bob Vickers, Gary White, Max Pope, Jim Edney, Davis Locke Harper, Mark White, Donnie Walker, Don Fleming, Joe Griffin & Billy Taunton, Sonny Hollins, Gary Hollins, Arthur Hendrix, Johnny Hampton, Billy Reynolds, Eddie Mays, Jeff Bolding, Ernie Fowler, Kenneth French, Dan Allison, Rob Griffin, Justin Doakes, Jim Fincher, William Coody, Herbert Wells, David Walker, Eugene Davis & Belvin Hamm. Honorary pallbearers will be Jap Watt, Randy Burks, Everett Wells, Bishop Danny Mays, Jim Yeager, Don Rodgers, Jim Scott, Robert Malloy, Leonard Howard, Charles Carter, Billy Newt Carter, Luther Richards, Ronnie Webb, Ben Posey, Rob Smetts, Terrell Wise, Ben Murphy, John Payne, Steve Henley, Jim Toon, Jerry Penson, Jack Dach, Dr. Shah, W.H. Williams, Chink McDougal, Harold Owery, Pam Richardson, Natasha Kelley, Versa Reed, Sandy McGriff,Nancy Spivey, Virginia Bowman, Valerie Martin, Linda Murry, Teresa Walsh, Remona Bishop, Charlotte Miller, Terri Webb, Tammy Cody Roberts, Mary Catherine Carter, Beverly Richards, Pearline Marshall, Gayle Madden, Lynn Rodgers, Tracey Listar, Nancy Toon, Renee Stokes, Rhonda Carter, Barbara Jordan. Burial will be in Lake Wood Cemetery with a farewell reception at the Prarie Country Club following interment. His body will lie in state at his home, 676 Marais Saline Road from 7:00 pm Sat., January 16 until funeral time Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be may be made to the Crossett Riding Club Scholarship Fund, Ashley County Skilled Work Center, Crossett Area Relay for Life or the charity of your choice.