Darrin Joe Brooks

From the time he was born on September 21, 1983, to the time of his passing on March 10, 2021, Darrin Joe Brooks lived life full-force and with as much gusto as he could cram into the moment.

As a child, he was known for his rabid curiosity, his intense imagination, and his willingness to eagerly attempt almost anything. It started as a baby trying to steal cookies from his Daddy, moved to a toddler skydiving off of 6 ft tall dinnerware hutches, to a primary student attempting to outrace his older brother in order to have an illicit skinny-dipping session in a neighbor’s pool…at church…, to a junior higher icing up the garage roof for a better sledding experience. Darrin was willing to try whatever struck his fancy, asking questions the whole way.

The question asking, did not, of course, require an actual agreement with the answers that were given to him. Many were the times that he had his entire family standing on the opposing side of an argument, facts in hand, and logic on their side. However, he had decided that his version was truth, and there he would make his stand.

Sometimes, that stubbornness, because it was combined with such great enthusiasm, kept him in great stead. It meant that if he decided he was going to do something, he would work at it with all his might. His acting ability, his storytelling, and his success as a cook and manager are testaments to that. Sometimes, it wasn’t as helpful for him, and he had some very hard times as a result.

One of the best things about his enthusiasm, though, was when he decided that something was done, he was always eager to move forward and try the next thing with all his ambition. Whether it was blow drying professional grade shrink wrap on sky scrapers and such after Hurricane Katrina, performing on stage, building cabins (with very little instruction) for volunteers at Camp Li-Lo-Li, or leaving northern trauma behind to make a name for himself cooking up the best at Beef and Barley here in SC, he was always up for a new challenge.

Another area of great enthusiasm was of course, his love for his son, James, and his desire to provide for him. Although his health needs required that he live in SC, he made sure to have regular contact with him, making sure he had hours long video game meet ups on a regular basis and visits to see him in Rochester whenever he was able. He loved being able to care for him in as many ways as possible.

Darrin is survived by his grandmother, Elaine Brooks, his parents, Dale and Lois Brooks, his siblings, Dawn and Tim Dumm, Doug and Sarah Brooks, Diane and David Smith, Dorothy and Gary Day, and Dwayne Brooks, and his son, James.

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