Dr. James Edward Rooks

Dr. James Edward Rooks, 90, passed away at his home in Midlothian, VA, surrounded by family on Dec. 18, 2016. James was born on the Eastern Shore in Cheriton, VA on Feb. 13, 1926 and was the 3rd child of 9 born to the late Alice F. and Oliver P. Rooks. Dr. Rooks is survived by his devoted wife, Sandra Crouch; his beloved siblings, Thomas (Barbara), Manning (Linda), Ross (JoAnn), Al (Rosemary), Franklin and Kathleen (James); 3 step-children; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother, Oliver; his parents; and 1st wife, Betsy Givens Rooks.

Dr. Rooks served in the U.S. Army Air Force and obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science from the University of Tennessee and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. In 1965, he earned his Ed.D. from the University of Virginia. He began his professional career as a teacher in TN and also taught and held principalships in Norfolk and served as an assistant superintendent in Lynchburg. He became Superintendent of Prince George County Schools in 1967 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1993. Many great memories were made with his friends and family boating and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and gathering at their family home in Norfolk, VA.

The family will receive friends at the Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA, on Thurs., Dec. 22, at 10 a.m. A service will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel officiated by his loving nephew, Pastor Mark Rooks (Myrna). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Willis United Methodist Church Building Fund, 8360 Willis Church Rd., Henrico, Virginia 23231.