Funeral With Honors

(this is a long post but I wanted it documented, also credit for the pictures go to Claudine Cable)

People came from far and wide to honor and celebrate Jack's life. I feel very honored that we had people from a lot of the places we lived in our life, which tells you how much Jack was loved. We had people from Harlowton, Umatilla, Washington, friends we knew in Germany, not to mention all our family that came from all over. We had a viewing before the funeral at the Church house.

Karl and Mom

Rick, Brett and Wayne

Natasha, Rustin, Copper and Amelia 

DeAnne (Jack's niece), Jimmy and Ronnie Bell. Jimmy was Jack's Gunner Sargent when he was Company Commander in the Marine Coup while we lived at Camp LeJune NC, they drove to be here for the funeral from Mississippi. Jack would be so honored.

Kathy, Me in background Dick (my brother) and Jennifer

Michael and Larsen

My cousins Bruce (also the mortician) Becky(she played the organ) and Dick Pace

Cousins Newel and Claudia Perry and daughter Valerie

Terry Brown, Kristy and Ellie

Julie and Kim with Rick in background.

Julie's family

Mitch

Mark did a great job on the program for the funeral. Everyone did a wonderful job and I was so proud of them. Even though no one wanted to speak they came through as I knew they would. I have had many people tell me how much they enjoyed the funeral. I think Jack would have been pleased and so proud of his kids. It isn't on the program but President Morris also spoke.

At the cemetery it was a cold but beautiful day.

They had to be oh so careful.

Mark

The Honors Ceremony was very impressive I am so glad we did it. Jack didn't want one as he felt he didn't deserve it. I think the Grandkids needed to see this and remember their Grandpa served his country well and with pride. Yes he deserved it. 

Hard to hear Taps

I think the flowers were beautiful thanks to Michelle for her help with them. I am glad for this picture.

This is Betty and Glen Tinker, Travis' parents, Betty passed away suddenly about a month after Jack so am glad to have this picture.

                                                                                    Kathy and Gunny Bell

Me talking To Linda Gates we knew them when we were in Germany 46 years ago. So good to have them come.

Love this picture of Grandma and Mike, the love shows. Larsen is a cutie in the background.

Ofcourse the Relief Society did themselves proud with the meal they fixed for us. Not pictured were the Funeral Potatoes and ham. Merrilyn thought the potatoes were yummy.

Jack's Obituary

Jack Parshall Brooks
MARCH 10, 1941 — JANUARY 17, 2014

Our loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, and Brother, Jack Parshall Brooks, passed January 17, 2014 after a courageous fight against brain cancer. Jack was born to the late Merrill Thomas and Ema Lucile (Parshall) Brooks on March 10, 1941 in Thermopolis, Wyoming.

Jack spent his early years in Thermopolis where he learned to love the outdoors and the simple life. He joined the Marine Corp at 18 and often proudly greeted fellow Marines with “Semper Fi Marine!” He later joined the Army. In over 11 years of active-duty military service, Jack served with pride and reached the rank of Captain in both military branches. He was a Vietnam War Veteran who served with the Shotgun 10, 25th Division. Jack worked over 35 years as a civil servant for the Department of the Army in the QAAS (Quality Assurance Ammunition Specialist) program. He loved blowing things up.

While stationed in Hawaii, Jack met his sweetheart Shawna Lou Mangum. They were married on May 14, 1966 in the LDS Temple in Laie, Hawaii. Jack’s greatest joy was his family. He loved spending time with them - just sitting back and watching them interact with each other. His Grandkids loved to listen to his many stories about the “old west” and the military. Jack was happiest when he was in the outdoors fishing, shooting, camping or just enjoying nature.

Jack was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many callings. Jack and Shawna were serving as missionaries in the Montana Billings Mission when he was diagnosed with his brain tumor. It was Jack’s long-time dream to serve a mission.

Jack Parshall Brooks is survived by his wife Shawna; his children Kathleen (Travis) Tinker, Michael (Jennifer) Brooks, Kristy (Tyler) Schwab, Mitchell (Marilee) Brooks, Mark (Michelle) Brooks; his 18 Grandchildren; and his Sister Merrilyn Samuels.

Jack will be deeply missed by many and will leave a void in our lives. We will miss his stories and his true kindness. He always said “You will never regret being kind” - and in his life, he was kind to all.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday January, 22 at 11:00 AM at the Parrish Canyon Ward, 610 North Rowland Way, Centerville. A viewing will be held at the church prior to services from 9:00 – 10:30 AM. 

A little bit of Christmas

This Christmas was very low key, but thanks to Mike and Jennifer we had a wonderful Christmas Eve. Don't have many pictures but had a great time being together and just enjoying each other. Jennifer fixed a great dinner with lots of yummy food (Mike will say he fixed it!!!!). Wish I had  pictures of it all. 

By the tree (as if you couldn't tell).

After dinner the kids opened their new Christmas PJs. I am so glad that we at least got this picture of the kids. Not all got the word to make funny faces!!! (which I am glad, not a fan of funny faces)

On Christmas day they all came over to our house to open gifts, only picture taken. Why I have no idea.

Mike has said that 2014 is the "Year of Mike"!!! I don't know if this is going to work out, but I made him a calendar with just his pictures in it. I think he liked it.

Next year I need to do better on taking pictures.

The Beginning of the End

 Before I start let me just say that The Huntsman Cancer Center is amazing and the people we worked with were incredible.   

  

 I think Jack and I both knew that something was going on, so when we went in on December the10th for his MRI and to see the Doctor Colman we were not surprised to hear that the Advestin he was taking had quit working. His tumor was growing. The Doctor gave us a few options but none sounded good. After Jack and I talked it over for a few days (and talking to the kids) and calling the doctors (PA) and nurses to answer our questions Jack and I decided to go off all treatments. 

      We or I guess I should say Jack started Hospice with Intermountain Healthcare Dec. 20th. Can I take a minute to say how great hospice is, because of them people are able to stay in their homes and have excellent care. They were so great with Jack and I, teaching me what I needed to do to make Jack more conferrable and to take care of his needs. They were always so caring and kind.

        Tender Mercies -- Jack did really well, being able to take care of himself until the Monday before he passed. He just started to sleep more and stopped talking. He could talk but it took too much energy. He knew everyone until the last. He was also able to eat until the very end. When I think about that time I can think of so many blessings we had.

         Jack's last week was hard, somehow he pulled a muscle in his left leg and was in a lot pain. After a trip to the ER by ambulance on Tue. they decided it was a torn or pulled muscle in his groin . He hurt really bad when moved so had to stay in bed and tried not to move. Hospice got him a hospital bed which made it a lot easier. By this time he was sleeping most of the time. Hospice came and checked on him daily and sometimes more to do what they needed to do to make him comfortable.

          Jack passed away peacefully in his sleep January 17th which surprised us all that he went so soon.

Just to let you see what a brain MRI looks like with a tumor. The tumor is on the bottom left at the top. The two shoots on the top are before some treatment on the left and after treatment on the right.

Jack getting his Advestin treatment, which he did every other week for 8 months.

 

He fought the good fight!!!!!!

And With Fall You Get Color!!!!

I love all the fall colors, I love driving around and seeing the reds, golds, yellows and oranges. It is fun to see God's creations, they make me happy and so thankful.

This is my fall quilt, I put it on in the fall to remind me of all the colors of fall, love it.

   This picture is here because October is Brest Cancer Awareness Month. Love that the boys are wearing pink tape or pink socks at the games.

Then There Was Fall.

With fall comes back to school, football, going to football games, cross-county track and great weather to enjoy. I love it all.

McKinley and Denali on their first day at school.

Having a great time at a U of U game.

Ellie in her track meet.

Jackson and Dylan ready to play some football.

Playing at Millcreek Jr. High

Here comes 22 and 21 watch out.

Going for the ball.

Larsen ready to go.

Looking good Larsen.

We have had some beautiful sunsets this year, love the view from our deck.

One day Jack felt good enough to rake our front flowerbed, I was very surprised. I think he did it because I told him he couldn't.

Mark and family out enjoying nature and each other.

Great picture of Mitch and Mare.