Raymond L. Brooks, 70, a resident of Rosalia, WA died Aug. 26, 2016 at home. Raymond was born July 23, 1946 in Council, ID to James & Lois (Prest) Brooks. The family moved to Bates, OR when he was a young boy. He graduated from Prairie City High School in 1964. Raymond entered the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War, spending time on the Oak Hill LSD-7 and Ticonderoga . He married Patsy Hutchison on May 27, 1966 in Bates, OR. Raymond was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1977. He and Patsy moved to San Diego, CA where he began his career as a diesel mechanic in the shipyards. During the 1980s Raymond and his family lived in Mt. Vernon, OR where he worked at Malheur Lumber Company in John Day, OR. In 1993 Raymond took a job at Fairbanks Morse in Washington where he worked until his retirement in 2003.

Raymond was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed working on anything mechanical, and was always willing to help a neighbor, friend, or family. He truly enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping with his family in the Blue Mountains. Raymond was a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He is survived by his wife Patsy Brooks of Rosalia, WA; son Neil Brooks and wife Heidi of Redmond, OR; two daughters Dawn Polley and husband Bruce of Rosalia, WA and Tia Barrietua husband Joe of John Day, OR; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers Freeman Brooks & Leroy Brooks. Raymond will be laid to rest at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax, WA is caring for the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.bruningfuneralhome.com