Mr. Earnest J. Brooks

Earnest J. Brooks was born on May 6, 1947, to the union of Mae Ella Haynes and JD Brooks in Coffee County, Alabama. His formative years were spent residing in Magnolia, and later, Canton, Ohio. He graduated from McKinley High School (Canton, OH) in 1965, and furthered his education at Milwaukee Area Technical College. On January 13, 1968, Earnest joined the United States Army where he served 4 years before being honorably discharged on July 10, 1972. After his service in the army, Earnie moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, near his two older sisters and brother-in-law. He liked the city and was able to find a job, so he decided to stay. Earnie worked a variety of different jobs over the years including AO Smith and the United States Postal Service, although none of these jobs gave him a sense of fulfillment. He eventually found that fulfillment when he discovered HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). Earnie enrolled in school and completed the necessary classes. After completing his apprenticeship, he became a journeyman and started his career. Earnie worked as the owner of Temperate Air for 16 years. He enjoyed the work because every job was different, and those differences sometimes created complex problems that he found pleasure in solving. Earnie met Karolin in Milwaukee, WI and the two were united in matrimony on July 10, 1988, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. From this union came their only child, a son, Kael Brooks. In his leisure, Earnie enjoyed road trips, watching Cleveland Browns and Ohio State football, Cleveland Indians/Guardians baseball, and Cleveland Cavs basketball, and spending time with family and friends. Earnie began attending Monumental Missionary Baptist Church in the early 2000s, where he was a very supportive person. When it came to heating and air conditioning repair, he was always there. His last job at the church was about a week before his passing. He gathered all the fire extinguishers to have them recharged. Earnest Brooks departed this life on April 19, 2025. He was preceded in death by his: parents, sister, 3 brothers, two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and two nieces. He is survived by his: wife of 37 years, Karolin; son, Kael; daughters, Kila and Kara; extended daughters, Rochelle (b.k.a. Nancy) and Shana Cotton; sisters, Nellie Odom of Milwaukee, WI and Penny Smith of Canton, OH; brothers, Joseph (Antonia) Brooks of Canton, OH and Gary Brooks of Milwaukee, WI; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; Goddaughter, Imunique Triplett; friends, Robert Smallwood, Tony Washington, Charleston Gray, Sonny Maclin, Theodore Hunter, and Johnny Allen; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mr. Earnest J. Brooks

May 6, 1947 - April 19, 2025