Charles Herman Cooks

Lieutenant Charles Cooks, age 70, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2017 at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Charles Cooks was born on April 12, 1947 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to the late Frederick Cooks and the late Rosalie Larry. At the age of 11 Charles came to Boston and grew up in the Lenox Street area of South End. He attended several Boston Public Schools such as Hyde Elementary, Patrick T. Campbell and he finished at English High School for Boys.

Charles Cooks was a United States Army Veteran and served in active duty from April 1966 to April 1969. In 1968, he served in the Vietnam War and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. He was a brave and loyal solider committed to serving and protecting his country. After serving in the war Charles purchased his most prized possession, which was a red GTO.

In 1972, Charles enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard where he earned the title of Master Sargent. Upon successful completion of 30 years of being fully committed, Charles retired from the military in 1996. In 1976, Charles became a Fire Fighter where he was committed to serving his community for 35 years. Charles was known as a very strict, disciplined and orderly leader, whose favorite motto was “I may be hard, but I am fair.” While courageously serving his community, in 2002 he became a Lieutenant of the Boston Fire Department. In addition, Charles became a member of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association where he proudly served as a referee for over 25 years.

Charles Cooks leaves to cherish his beloved wife Juanita Cooks, daughter Joyce L. Brown and son Phillip Cooks. He is survived by his siblings, Leslie Milton, Louis Larry and Essie Sims. He is further survived by two nieces and a nephew, a host of great nieces and nephews, family and friends.

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