Obituary of Nelson Brooks Jr.

Nelson Brooks, Jr. of Whippany, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at the age of 88.

Nelson was born in January 1936, in a modest home in Morristown, NJ, to his parents Nelson Brooks, Sr. and Nettie Lockett Brooks. He graduated from Morristown High School in 1955. During high school, Nelson proudly served in the U.S. Marines Reserves and later continued his service to America with four years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force.

After completing his military service, Nelson returned to New Jersey and took a job at the United States Post Office in Morristown. He quickly became well-known in the community, first as a mail carrier and later as a philatelist, working in the philatelic window for nearly thirty years. Nelson declined the opportunity to be promoted to Morristown Postmaster on at least two occasions, preferring instead to assist residents in appreciating the utility and history of the postal service through his role at the philatelic window.

With his easy smile, quick humor, and understanding of the everyday joys and worries of postal customers, he built strong connections with those needing to send and receive packages from Morristown to destinations around the globe, spreading smiles throughout the region. He retired in 2003 after approximately fifty years of total federal government service. Nelson believed in the value of hard work and often took on a second part-time job over the years, most notably as a security guard for NJ Bell/AT&T.

Nelson was a devoted father and a great provider for his two children. Thanks to his tough love, humor, and strong example, they grew up to be productive and active members of society. Both children excelled academically in grade school, college, and their careers.

He was an active member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Boonton Township, where he served on the Usher Board until health issues arose. Throughout Nelson’s childhood and some of his adult life, he was also a member of the Church of God and Christ for All Saints in Morristown.

Nelson was preceded in death by his siblings, Everline "Becky" Glover (1937-2018) and Robert Lewis Brooks (1934-2023); as well as his niece, Karen L. Glover (1958-2017). He is survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Marion Brooks; his children, Kimberly Brooks of Barbados and Christopher Brooks of East Stroudsburg, PA; his stepchildren, Terrence Holmes of Guttenberg, NJ and Reesheda Holmes of Parsippany, NJ; his nieces and nephews, Sandra L. Glover, who he treated like a daughter, of Nashville, TN; Cynthia Brooks Bullock (John) of Marietta, GA; Kenneth Brooks of Georgia; and Marvin Brooks (Molly) of Califon, NJ. He also leaves behind to cherish his memory his granddaughters, Erica and Lina Brooks of East Stroudsburg, PA and Crystal Holmes of Hackensack, NJ.

Please join the family on Friday, January 3, 2025, in Mount Zion Baptist Church, 4 Church Rd, Boonton Township; with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00am and the service beginning at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Heavenly Rest Memorial Park, 268 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover.

Arrangements are through Codey & Mackey Funeral Home of Boonton. To share your condolences with the family, please visit CodeyMackeyFH.com.