James (Jim) Brooks left us Saturday, Dec. 17th, signing off on a life thoroughly well lived at 89.  He was born November 11, 1933 in Wilmington, Ohio to the late Antonia Galinos and William (Vasili) Kalugerios. (The family changed their last name from Kalugerios to Brooks when they immigrated from Greece.) Jim was the second child of Antonia and Bill, joining his older brother and sidekick in life, Nondas "Nick" Brooks.

Jim graduated from Wilmington High School and was recruited to play football by Michigan State, University of Illinois, Harvard, and Ohio State. He chose the University of Cincinnati and then transferred to the University of Kansas where he played as a fullback and linebacker. He later graduated with a teaching degree from Wilmington College.

In 1957, Jim met Bessie Gardikes at an OSU Greek dance. They both were with other dates that night, but Jim said that the moment he saw Bessie he knew he would marry her. It took six months, but he convinced her. They were married for 64 years.    

The couple started their life together in Cleveland, OH, where Jim taught history and coached football at John Hay High School. Later they moved to Dayton where Jim taught history and was the assistant football coach at Wayne High School. Along with teaching, Jim and Nick owned multiple bars around the Dayton area. He also became a pro poker player. He would sit and play it tight all night. It could be boring, he said, but he was there to work; not necessarily have fun. He was an entrepreneur and businessman with a multitude of endeavors until he retired in 1998 with Bessie to Sarasota, FL. The couple would spend afternoons drinking wine on the lanai listening to Frank Sinatra, which would inevitably lead to calling their kids and grandkids to say how much they were loved and how proud they were. 

Throughout his life, he was still a teacher at heart. He believed people were an investment and preached to tip well when being served. He knew how to nudge the odds in your favor in cards, and sometimes in life. He had a love for music, especially old crooners like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. His love for dogs never faded and he was known at the Mcdonalds' drive-thru for 5 AM trips with his dog, Sugar, to order her a McDouble cheeseburger, and pancakes for his granddaughter.  You knew when Jim was in the room. He could captivate a group with his booming voice and storytelling. Loyal to his friends and very proud to be Greek. He had a zest for life, a tenacity to speak his mind, and he most certainly knew how to have some fun, all of which continues to live on in his family.   

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Antonia Brooks; brother, Nondas “Nick” Brooks.  He is survived by his loving wife Bessie; daughter & son-in-law Annie Brooks & Wayne Rotterman; sons & daughter-in-law Art & Amy Brooks, and Bill Brooks; grandchildren Kristen Finnegan, Jimmy Brooks, Zach Brooks, Zoe Brooks and Niko Brooks; great-granddaughter September James Brooks; and many more relatives & friends. 

The funeral service will be at 1:30 PM, Thursday, Jan. 5 at Woodland Mausoleum (118 Woodland Ave). The family will receive friends from 1 PM until service time at the Mausoleum. A wake will be held following the services starting at 3 PM at Bock Family Brewing (8150 Washington Village Dr). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society in honor of Jim and Nondas Brooks.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Marker & Heller Funeral Homes, North Main St. Chapel.