James W. "Jim" Brooke February 5, 1943 - April 30, 2011

Long time Sisters resident Jim Brooke took his leave of this earth on April 30, from a hemorrhagic stroke a week prior. Jim's final days resembled a good nap, which during his life gave him an extreme sense of joy. Known to all for his cheery attitude, he loved to watch the comings and goings of Sisters from his favorite sunny spot on the porch of the big red house.

Born to Dr. and Mrs. James W. Brooke on February 5, 1943, in New York City, Jim grew up in Eugene, where he ran with a pack of like-minded boys and honed his love of a good practical joke. The star of South Eugene High School, he went on to Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. where he received a bachelor's degree in biology. In 1965 he returned to the Eugene area, where he worked in the wood products industry and spent some time as a commercial fisherman out of Reedsport. He married Sandy Bingham in 1978 and became the father of his only daughter, Christen. 

Bend Research and a job as a chemist brought the family to Central Oregon in 1979. At Bend Research he was credited with three patents. Jim had already spent time in 1977 working as a science teacher at Bend High. Jim enjoyed the Central Oregon outdoor lifestyle with his family and was always looking for more ways to have fun, like flying ultra-light aircraft, boating, camping and hiking. Some may remember him as the ring announcer for Deschutes Station's Saturday night fights.

His gracious ability to share his beautiful mind with everyone he knew was his gift to us, and all who knew him loved him.

Jim is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Rich and Liz Brooke of Lake Oswego; nephew and niece-in-law, Rich and Nikki Brooke; and grandnieces Charlotte and Madison, of Beaverton; nephew Jim Brooke of Lake Oswego; nieces, Karli Middlewood Lee of Brisbane, Australia, and Psyche de Christo of Malibu; daughter Christen; son-in-law Christian; and grandchildren, Sydney and Chance Gladu of Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kristine Brooke Middlewood.

A celebration of life potluck will be held Saturday, May 28, 2 to 5 p.m. at Daggett's, 282 W. Main Ave., Sisters. Memorial contributions can be made to the Kiwanis Food Bank, P.O. Box 1296, Sisters, OR 97759; [email protected]