Claud "Lin" Brooks

Mr. Claud “Lin” Brooks, age 74 of Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Winston-Salem.

Visitation is Wednesday March 27 from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM at Wilkesboro United Methodist Church and a Memorial service will be held 3:00 PM Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Wilkesboro United Methodist Church with Rev. Karen Roberts officiating.

Lin was born in Wilkes County to Claud Henry and Helen Opitz Brooks. He was the owner of Applefield Executive Properties Inc. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister; Ann Louise Brooks Yates, and his brother; Kenny Marvin Brooks.

Lin is survived by his spouse Pat of Wilkesboro; brother-in-law, Junior Yates of Wilkesboro; and nieces, Debra Haymore (Mike) of North Wilkesboro, and Joy Watkins (Doug) of Taylorsville and his nephew John Brooks. He also has many Brooks cousins and really enjoyed the “Brooks family cousin’s reunion” held in October of 2022.

Lin attended Wilkes Central High School where he excelled in sports, playing, football, and baseball and on the wrestling team. He was named “Most Athletic his Senior Year. He and three other teammates were selected to play in the Northwestern Conference game in 1966. They won 28-21.

Lin graduated from Appalachian State University in 1972 with a degree in BSBA. He and Pat met in June 1972 and married a year later. Between 1972 and 1980, Lin worked for Lowe’s Companies in the Expansion Department, and for Gerald Hendley at Heritage Homes. Still searching for his niche, he took the advice of Bryan Applefield and he and Pat both took the real estate class at WCC with Randall Woodruff as their instructor. He worked briefly for Helen and Bryan, purchasing their company in 1980. It would later become Applefield Executive Properties, Inc.

Lin was an active member of the North Wilkesboro Lions Club holding many positions and serving as President on two different occasions. He was active in the club’s fundraising activities and was an early supporter of the club’s involvement in MerleFest.

In 1996 Lin served as the Chairman of the Wilkes Chamber Board of Directors and was instrumental in the purchase of the Chamber Building which created a home for the chamber of commerce as well as the Wilkes County Board of Realtors.  Lin was dedicated to the work of Wilkes Vision 2020/20, an inclusive strategic plan for Wilkes County that focused on the improvement of educational opportunities, downtown revitalization, infrastructure expansion, and overall quality of living for all county citizens.  From Linda Cheek “Lin Brooks, was a strong leader who dedicated his life to and for the betterment of his community. “

He particularly enjoyed his 25 year membership at Oakwoods Country Club and golfing with his regular golfing buddies on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday mornings. He loved hiking and camping in Blowing Rock and later at W. Kerr Scott Lake where they also enjoyed time on the water with their pets and boating friends. Their fur babies were always a huge part of their life and he especially loved Boo, his 17 year old terrier mix.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilkesboro United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 197, Wilkesboro, NC 28697, Humane Society of Wilkes, P.O. Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1564, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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