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Kenneth David Brooks, 51

Ken Brooks passed away far too young on Sept. 27, 2018, surrounded by his wife and children in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. His celebration of life will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, at Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. All who knew Ken are welcome to attend.

Ken was born March 8, 1967, to Natalie (Haskell) Brooks and Christopher Brooks, in Chugiak, Alaska. He spent his childhood summers thriving at camp, where he discovered a lifelong passion for service. He worked diligently to earn his undergraduate education from Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. and his Juris Doctorate from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore.

While in college, he met his wife and best friend, Jana (Hirsch) Brooks, whom he married on March 17, 1990. They spent 32 years together, and more than 28 years married. The couple was blessed with their oldest child, Jennifer Brooks in 1993 and their youngest, Connor Brooks in 2000. Ken loved his wife and children more than anything. He did everything he could to take care of his family, whether that was teaching his children one of his many “life lessons,” ensuring the laundry was folded properly or brewing the morning coffee. Ken was a loving and dedicated husband and a proud, devoted father.

Ken worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Kootenai County for over 20 years. He never stopped working to make his community a better and safer place. Ken also taught at North Idaho College Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) program and volunteered as an assistant Scoutmaster with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He loved being able to teach and mentor anyone who wanted to benefit from what we all referred to as his “big brain.”

The Brooks family were members of Community United Methodist Church, where Ken immersed himself deeply in the congregation. With a rock-solid faith and a servant’s heart, he was always willing to do what was needed, whether that was serving as a youth leader, leading a service or shoveling the snow.

Ken was intelligent, snarky, hard-working and absolutely one-of-a-kind. He had a strong moral compass and a special talent for showing affection through teasing and humor. Ken valued family, education, humor, compassion and justice. In his own words, he could be “arbitrary and capricious” and incredibly ornery, but he was also empathetic, supportive, kind, hard-working and present. There are no words to express how deeply Ken will be missed by his family and his community.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Natalie in 2008. He is survived by his wife, Jana Brooks; children, Jenny and Connor Brooks; father, Christopher Brooks; sister, Melora Jackson; and brother, Lee Brooks; along with innumerable extended family.

In his honor, his family would like for donations to be made in his name to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Kenneth’s memorial and sign his online guest book www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.