Er hat eine Beziehung mit (Nicht öffentlich).
Kind(er):
Brooks Herrick Cathey | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Nicht öffentlich) |
Brooks Herrick Cathey
KEY WEST CITIZEN
May 25, 2019
BROOKS HERRICK CATHEY
Brooks Herrick Cathey Sr., age 89, of Key West, Florida, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Key West Health and Rehabilitation Center.
A celebration of life service will be held on July 20 at 11 a.m. at “Old Stone” Key West United Methodist Church, followed by a reception in Jones Hall. Interment at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Masonic Home of Florida, Disabled American Veterans, or Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
Brooks was born on May 3, 1930, in Fort Pierce, Florida to George Bunyan Cathey Sr. and Lotta Eunice Herrick-Cathey. After the sudden, early passing of his father in 1944, his mother moved the family back to Key West. He graduated from Key West High School in 1948; joining the United States Army Air Corps in 1951, serving in the Corps of Engineers as a technical sergeant in Company “C” of the 372nd Engineer Aviation Battalion at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; as well as a duty station in Alaska, until his honorable discharge in 1953.
As a teenager, Brooks worked at Strunk Lumber Yard as a salesperson in hardware and building materials; returning to Strunk’s after his Army stint to a career as a purchasing agent that spanned 30 years. It was during this time that he earned an associate’s degree from Florida Keys Community College. He also worked as a purchasing agent for Singleton Seafood of Key West for five years, before embarking on his final career as a property appraiser (III) for the Monroe County Property Appraiser from 1985, until his retirement in 1997.
In 1982, Brooks joined the Free & Accepted Masons as part of Anchor Lodge No.182, chartered through the Grand Lodge of Florida, F. & A. M., and recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England. He studied his way up the progressive line of the seven masonic officer chairs and three degrees to become Worshipful Master of the lodge in 1989, presiding over rituals and ceremonies. Then in 1993, Brooks received the honorary 33rd degree, with the distinction of Grand Worshipful Master. The 33rd degree is awarded to those members who display a prominent and notable dedication to Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite, as well as the world around them. Brooks always offered a helping hand to mentor other masons; and contributed to the Masonic Home of Florida, as well as Disabled American Veterans. In 2002, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Florida.
Likewise, Brooks loved sports and held many roles in the City of Key West youth sports leagues for 40 years, beginning in the 1960s and into the 1990s; whether he was working in the pressbox keeping score and records, or officiating as a baseball umpire or football referee, he was a fixture in youth sports. As a member of Monroe County Officials Association, he was honored in 1997, for his many years of dedicated service to Monroe County children and communities. Furthermore, Brooks always supported Key West High School Athletics, attending all the home games for football, basketball, and baseball, when possible. He also enjoyed fishing and netting shrimp.
Additionally, he was a avid gardener and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor, such as avocados, Key limes, guavas, papayas and tomatoes with everyone. Brooks also enjoyed sharing his love of plants with others, often giving them saplings from his prized lignum vitae tree. Also, later in life he became a wonderful baker, sharing his goods with neighbors, coworkers, and at many masonic events.
Brooks was an honorable man of integrity and character with a kind, loving heart. He is survived by his three children, Susan J. Ham and her husband, Terry of Key West; Sherri C. Lytle and her husband, Dennis, of Oceanside, California; and Brooks H. Cathey Jr. of Fresno, California; four grandchildren, Terry “TJ” Ham, Manami A. Lytle, Jenna A. Cathey and Shaun H. Cathey; his brother, George B. Cathey Jr. and his wife, Barbara, of Jacksonville, Florida; nephews, Edgar L. Kilborn Jr., Richard L. Kilborn and Stuart A. Cathey; as well as first cousins, Edward A. Strunk, III, Esther S. Taylor, Shirley Stoelzel, Homer B. Herrick Jr., Richard A. Herrick Sr. and his wife, Blanche; Gifford R. Herrick and his wife Eileen, and Blanche D. Congrove; along with extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lotta Eunice, his infant brother, and sister, Lotta Eunice Cathey-Kilborn and her husband, Edgar; nephew, Stephen A. Kilborn, and nieces, Amanda C. Kilborn and Jane C. Russell.