Donald Jay Brooks, 55, died Monday, February 2, 2009 at his daughter's home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, February 6, 2009 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Euclid, MN with Rev. Tim Winterstein officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Donald Jay Brooks was born on October 8, 1953 to Boyd and Geraldine (Kiley) Brooks in Reno, NV. He grew up and was raised in the Catholic Faith. He attended school and high school in Reno, NV.

He was married to Debbie Charleson in Reno, NV and to this union 2 children were born, Jesse and Jessica. Jay worked in a custom upholstery business for 17 years in Nevada and Idaho. He did a lot of upholstery work on classic cars. Some of his work was published in car magazines. He moved to Crookston, MN about 7 years ago. He has worked at Dee Inc in Crookston in the cut, grind, and finish department.

Jay loved 4-wheeling and spent almost every Saturday and Sunday (and any day off in between) with his buddies 4-wheeling around the Euclid area. He was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan and enjoyed their SuperBowl win this past Sunday. He liked pitching horseshoes and spending time with his children. Jay has been battling pancreatic cancer and has lived with his daughter for the past few months at her home in Thief River Falls where she helped care for him. Jay made a big impact on the people around him. He had a charm and free spirit that many people enjoyed.

Jay is survived by 3 children: Jesse (Liana) Brooks, Crookston, MN, Jessica Seaweard (Gerald Goulet), Thief River Falls, MN, Jolene Turner, Colorado, 5 grandchildren, Julianne, Jesse Jr, Steven, Andre, and Tyler, 1 brother David, Las Vegas, NV, 2 sisters Pam Brooks, South Carolina, Karen York, Los Angeles, CA, friend Mary Brooks and her children Sara and Rhiannan.

He was preceded in death by his parents Boyd and Geraldine Brooks.

CASKETBEARERS: Jesse Brooks, Gerald Goulet, Merle Porter, Fred Ose, Richard Hoiland, Dick Meyers
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of his co-workers at Dee Inc.