Ralph Elbert Brooks, Jr., a longtime resident of High Point, N.C., died on the first day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2015, at River Landing at Sandy Ridge Retirement Community.
He was born on December 30, 1928, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Brooks of Burlington, N.C., who both preceded him in death. He was educated at Davidson College and the University of North Carolina Medical School Chapel Hill and followed his father’s footsteps in the field of urology.
He interned at Cooper Hospital in Camden, N.J., was a surgical resident at the University of Alabama Birmingham, a urology resident at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C., and served as a captain in the USArmy Medical Corps.
Dr. Brooks established his private practice in High Point, N.C., at what is now Piedmont Urological Associates and remained there until his retirement in 1991. He was a practicing physician and served as chief of surgery and later chief of staff at High Point Regional Hospital where he also served on the Executive Committee of the Endowment Board.
He was a member of the Guilford County Medical Society, the North Carolina Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Urological Association, the Endourology Society, the American Lithotripsy Society and was elected to the Fellow American College of Surgeons and the Certified American Board of Urology.
Dr. Brooks also served as a practicing physician at Community General Hospital in Thomasville, N.C.. A 50 year Legion of Honor member of the Kiwanis Club, he also devoted his time to the House of Prayer as a member of the board of directors and an advisor. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 60-plus years, Jane Slate Brooks.
The inseparable pair took many journeys together well into their 80s. Their trips included Greece, New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands and Jamaica, amongst others. Their most powerful journey however was a spiritual path that led them to non-denominational Grace Church and a lifelong commitment to serving others through the hands of God.
Well known for his dry sense of humor, love of Carolina basketball and stalwart values, Dr. Brooks made his mark on the High Point landscape by advocating the town’s medical profile.
He and wife Jane adopted children Lucy and Frank later in life and instilled in them through deeds that privilege and responsibility go hand in hand. The couple was also hands on in the rearing and education of their grandchildren, Cindy, Brooks and Emily.
Dr. Brooks is survived by his son Frank Slate Brooks and his husband Brad Newton, daughter Lucy Perdue and her husband Barry, grandchildren Cindy, Brooks and Emily and great grandchildren Jacob, Wesley, Rayleigh and Emersyn.
A service will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 2pm at River Landing, 1575 John Knox Drive, High Point/Colfax, 27235. The family will greet friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers donations to River Landing, 1575 John Knox Dr, High Point, NC 27235, Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262 or High Point Community Trust, 501 N. Main Street, #2, High Point, NC 27260 are appreciated.
Online condolences may be made at www.cumbyfuneral.com Arrangements by Cumby Family Funeral Service, High Point.