Ronald Wilson Brooks

- Charles Darwin

Ronald Wilson Brooks knew the value and never wasted a minute.

The only son of Woodrow and Sybil Brooks, Ronald was born on January 15, 1944 to a humble home and hardworking parents. His oldest friend and confidant, his little sister Addie, was born four years later. His mother, a high school valedictorian, aspired to be a teacher, but hardship to her family kept her from attending college. She instilled in Ronald her love of learning. From the small family farm and picking cotton as a child, Ronald dreamed big. Education and hard work were gateways and values that he carried for life.

First in his family to attend college then law school, Ronald founded a successful law firm, Brooks & LeBoeuf, Attorneys at Law. He was ambitious and always planning ways to make the future better. His father’s disability from stroke was a constant reminder that life is precious and fleeting – to be lived to the fullest before it is gone.

When Ron met Jean he found a partner who mirrored his values and shared his passions- particularly their horses and time on the water whether the St. Marks River, the Gulf, the Florida Keys or the Bahamas. No one could match Ron free-diving and spearing fish. He never had enough hours in the water. When sunburnt to a crisp, he had been known to snorkel in his jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.

Ron loved law and would have continued his practice until the end. But fate had different ideas. A serious stroke ended his career but not his dreams.

“The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears or the sea.”

- Isak Dinesen

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”

-William Arthur Ward

Ronald and Jean moved onto their boat and sailed into the next chapter. More than six years of adventure- island-hopping their way to Venezuela and back. They made fast friends with fellow sailors. Their little convoy known as Quatro became friends for life.

They returned to his final chapter- to grandchildren and a house ashore, family get-togethers for football, birthdays, or nothing at all. Ronald had countless projects around the house and yard. The news would run on the TV all day while he tinkered around in his worn grease-stained jeans fixing something. When his legs failed him, he sped around Disney in his electric scooter never complaining or missing a beat.

Ronald was an interesting character who fit in almost anywhere. He could entertain you for hours with his stories. He made friends easily and kept many for decades- a testament to his good nature.

He loved singing favorite songs with his grandkids. An avid reader- he especially enjoyed westerns and legal thrillers and could polish a novel off in a couple of days. He loved the river and the woods and could name almost every tree. He loved his garden and would proudly show you what was blooming or fruiting. He loved the islands and the ocean and could never tire of boats and diving.

Most of all, he loved his family. He leaves behind his wife Jean, four children, Jennifer Dustin, Robert, and Rachel, and five grandchildren-Tatum, Izabella, Finnleigh, Brooks, and Mako, and his sister Addie who all love him dearly and will miss him forever.

Ronald lived bigger dreams than the boy on the farm could ever imagine.

Following the light of the sun, he left the old world on February 2, 2020. Fair winds Captain Ron.

Sea Fever

By John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.