James P. Brooks II

September 15, 1937 - October 30, 2021

James Paul Brooks II, was born in Trenton, NJ, on September 15, 1937, to James P. Brooks Sr. and Dorothy Brown-Brooks. Due to family issues he was raised in the home of Dora Price, who provided a godly home and environment for the various foster children in her care. He graduated from New Brunswick Senior High School in 1957. While there, He made himself into an outstanding track runner. So much so, that he was inducted into The New Brunswick High School Hall of Fame; an honor only bestowed on the school's finest athletes. James was a member of the singing group, The Continentals, a local favorite. Group disharmony caused them to miss out on landing a singing contract upon landing an audition with the agency of Tito Puente. In April of 1958 he married his high school sweetheart Jacqueline Ricketts, and with her raised a family of three children, James the 3rd, Alicia Elizabeth, and Kimberly Dawn. It was during this time frame that he became a founding member of the Dukes Social Club and was installed as its treasurer. He began his work career at Two Guys, Inc. on Route 18, in East Brunswick, NJ, but later found new employment at Shop-Rite Supermarkets right across the highway, owned by the Smutko Bros. He worked tirelessly, working himself through the ranks until finally being asked to become a store manager. It was in that position James demonstrated that he possessed the qualities needed to take a poor performing store to become the top money maker in the region. James became the regional trouble-shooter, taking multiple stores to the top under his management. After rolling up his sleeves to help the Shop-Rite store in Hillside, NJ, James retired from the retail foodservice industry with many accolades. It was at this time James took employment with Middlesex County's Meals-on-Wheels Division. He treated this as a ministry to the public, delivering meals to the needy and offering them words and acts of kindness. In 1981, James became a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church located in New Brunswick, NJ, under the pastor-ship of the Rev. Mascot Gardner, and was persuaded to take a seat on the Church Trustee Board. With the passing of Rev. Gardner and the installation as pastor of Rev. Dr. Leo Graham, James was asked to become a deacon; but he declined the position. He was later convinced to accept the deaconship by Deacon Williams. James advanced to become the Chairman of the Deacon Board, the Church Treasurer, The Missionary Board Deacon and loved singing with the Male Chorus. James departed this life on October 30, 2021. He is preceded in death by His father, James the First, his mother Dorothy, his sister Gladsby Brown, his brother Donald Brooks, and his daughter Alicia. James leaves behind his devoted and loving wife, Jacqueline, his son James (Tara), daughter Kimberly (Robert), seven grandchildren Roy Reid IV, Jameel Hall, Brianna Hall, grandsons James Paul Brooks IV and Qorey Israel Brooks, five great-grandchildren