Eugene Colin Brooks

Eugene “Gene” Brooks of Kannapolis went to be with his Lord and Ginny, his wife of 63 years who pre-deceased him, on April 20, 2024. He was 92. He was born on February 24, 1932, to O.C. and Gladys Brooks of Kannapolis. His brothers were J.L. and Guy, both of whom pre-deceased him. He served in the U.S. Air Force in the Air Rescue Squadron during the Korean conflict 1949-1953. His time there included a tour of Saudi Arabia and Iceland.

In 1950, while on a church youth outing to Morrow Mountain, NC, he offered a ride home to Virginia Cleo Hancock and thus began an enchanted lifelong relationship. They were married December 23, 1951, by Rev. Hayden Cartner. They honeymooned in Cuba with the minister and his wife, Kathryn. His “Ginny” died in 2015. Their marriage produced three daughters: Robin Ginene, Ginger Aline, and Lanas Jean.

Gene and Ginny were active in and charter members of Parkwood Baptist Church in Concord organized in 1949, serving as treasurers of the fledgling church. Parkwood was an outgrowth of Calvary Baptist Church in Kannapolis, where Gene’s family attended. Gene served as Sunday School teacher and deacon at Parkwood among various other roles until his health began to fail. He was a member of Shriners International, Scottish Rite, Cannon Memorial Lodge #626. Gene and Ginny traveled extensively and enjoyed square dancing across the state with their numerous friends for many years.

His career was spent mostly with Adams International in Charlotte, a company he eventually took an ownership position with. He retired as body shop manager.

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, April 23 at 12 noon at Parkwood Baptist Church on Central Drive in Concord. A graveside service will follow in Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends before the service starting at 10:30am.

The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Concord Parkway for their loving service to Gene for the last 2 years. Memorials may be sent to Parkwood Baptist Church 1069 Central Drive, Concord, NC 28027 or to Hospice and Palliative Care Cabarrus County 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC.

Gene is survived by his three daughters: Robin Little (Tracy) of Kannapolis; Ginger Glenn (Doug) of Kannapolis; Lanas Calloway (Joe) of China Grove; grandchildren Brooks Little (Kara), Jenna Little (Travis), Brandon Glenn (Shannon), Amanda Glenn; great grandchildren Brayden Little, Holden Wilkinson, Makayla Wilkinson, Alexis Davis, Riley Glenn, Brody Glenn, Lily Glenn.

Whitley’s Funeral Home is serving the family.