James Edward
Westbrooks was born February 3, 1942 in Kosciusko, Mississippi to
Alex and Leonia Westbrooks. He was the youngest of six children.
James’ parents moved from Kosciusko to Cleveland in 1944. He was
baptized in June 1955 at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. He went
to East High in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated in 1961. James joined
the Air Force in 1961 and was stationed in Hawaii and then Edwards
Air Force Base in California until 1966. While still in the Air
Force, James met Lorraine in 1965 and they were married shortly
thereafter. From that union three children were born - Pamela,
Cherie and James, II. James and family lived in Compton, California
and James worked for Max Factor in El Segundo from 1969 until the
facility closed in 1983. In 1985, James and two of his children,
Cherie and James, II, returned to Cleveland when his mother Leonia
became ill.
James started a
second career as a bus driver for RTA in Cleveland, Ohio where he
worked from 1987 until he retired in 2005. After retirement, James
worked part-time at the Center for Clinical Care in Cleveland from
2008 until February 2010.
James was a member
of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland. He served as the
church Van Driver, the Trustee, the grounds keeper and assisted the
church in any way he could.
James loved playing
a round of golf, shooting pool and playing basketball. He was
happiest when he was just simply washing his car, mowing his lawn
and spending time with his grandchildren. James was also
affectionately called “Uncle Buck”, “Jimbo” and “Soul” by his family
and friends. He was a strong, independent, charismatic and outgoing
man with a kind smile and a generous heart. He was extremely funny
and could crack a joke with the best of them. He was a devoted
father and grandfather, a loving brother and uncle, a great friend
and an all around fantastic guy. He would be there for you when
others wouldn’t and would give the last of anything he had if he
thought it would help. He was the living example of “My Brother’s
Keeper”.
James Edward
Westbrooks departed this life, Thursday, June 3, 2010 at Cleveland’s
University Hospitals.
James was preceded
in death by his parents, Alex and Leonia; brother Alex, Jr.;
sisters, Ernestine, Florine and Emma Elizabeth. He leaves to
cherish his memory his children, Pamela, Cherie and James, II;
grandchildren, Tiffany, Brieanna, Kevin, and Rayshad; great
grandchild Jaden; sister, Dorothy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins
and friends.
