Raymond L. Brooks, 70, of Rosalia, Washington, died Aug. 26, 2016, at home.

Brooks was born July 23, 1946, in Council, Idaho, to James and Lois (Prest) Brooks. The family moved to Bates when he was a young boy. He graduated from Prairie City High School in 1964.

Brooks entered the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War, spending time on the Oak Hill LSD-7 and Ticonderoga. He married Patsy Hutchison on May 27, 1966, in Bates. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1977.

The couple moved to San Diego, California, where he began his career as a diesel mechanic in the shipyards. During the 1980s, Raymond and his family lived in Mt. Vernon, where he worked at Malheur Lumber Company in John Day. In 1993, Raymond took a job at Fairbanks Morse in Washington where he worked until his retirement in 2003.

Brooks was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed working on anything mechanical, and was always willing to help a neighbor, friend or family. He truly enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping with his family in the Blue Mountains. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy Brooks, of Rosalia; son Neil Brooks and daughter-in-law Heidi Brooks of Redmond; daughter Dawn Polley and son-in-law Bruce Polley of Rosalia; daughter Tia Barrietua and son-in-law Joe Barrietua of John Day; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Freeman and Leroy Brooks.

He will be laid to rest at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax, Washington, is caring for the family. Online condolences may be sent to bruningfuneralhome.com.