James B. Rooks Sr.

May 20, 1922 – February 16, 2017

Great Grandpa, Grandpa, Dad was born in Tallahassee, Florida to Verna Simpson Rooks and Byron Estes Rooks. He lived in various cities in west Florida until the family settled in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jim graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, where he enjoyed and lettered in track, before joining the Navy in 1941, answering the call to defend his country in World War II. He served in various venues on ships called LSTs, including the Pacific theater, and had many stories about life in the Navy and in combat. He left the Navy after the war in 1946 and graduated from Massey Business College only to answer his country’s call again in 1950 to defend America in the Korean conflict.

He left the Navy for the final time in 1952 and continued his most important responsibility as husband and father, later to expand that roll to Grandpa and Great Grandpa.

Jim moved to Houston in 1960 where he married Norma Marshman, the love of his life.

Jim worked for the railroad and several major retailers and companies, retiring from Ruston Gas Turbines in 1992.

Jim relocated to San Antonio in 2014 where he lived until his passing.

He was preceded in death by his Mother (Verna), Father (Estes), wife (Norma), Daughters (Connie and Dollie) and son Dennis. He is survived by his son Jim, daughter Melinda, 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.