James "Ken" Rooks

James Kenneth Rooks, Sr., 75, died Monday evening, June 7, 2021 after a stay at a care facility in Westminster, Colorado, surrounded by his children.

Born in 1945 to Corbin and Birdie (Peppers) Rooks in Moulton, Alabama, Ken was one of four children.  He was raised in Michigan and graduated from Milan High School in 1965.  He was a three-sport athlete and still holds school baseball records for pitching.   In 2000, he was inducted into the Milan Athletic Hall of Fame.

After being critically wounded in Vietnam serving in the United States Army, he was honorably discharged in 1968.  He worked as a car salesman at Chapman & Son in Ypsilanti for several years before making a career change to drive truck for Complete Auto Transit in Willow Run,  Ladapa Die and Tool in Dundee, and M.C. Eipperle, Inc. in Monroe.  He made his home in both Milan and Dundee, where he raised his family.   After retiring, he moved to Colorado to live near his children and grandchildren.

In his free time he enjoyed coaching little league baseball, playing softball, golfing, shooting pool, and watching sports.  Ken was an avid University of Michigan fan, and was a basketball season ticket holder for over forty years.  He was also a fan of the University of Colorado Buffaloes, and he enjoyed watching his granddaughters play middle and high school sports for Prospect Ridge Academy.

Ken is survived by his three children, Ken Jr. (Renee), Jason, and Abby (Steve) Bok, as well as his four grandchildren, Katherine, Elizabeth, Natalie, and Cullen. He is also survived by his siblings Linda (Mike) Grieve and Gail Rooks, along with several nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Rachel (Rooks) Kennon.

Services will take place at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home in Thornton, Colorado. Viewing will be from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday, June 15th, with the funeral service at 5pm on Thursday, June 17th.  He will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

The family requests that those who are attending dress comfortably and, if desired, wear Michigan Wolverines, CU Buffaloes, or PRA Miners attire.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made in the form of a charitable donation to the Prospect Ridge Academy Booster Club – PRABoosters.org.