Uncle obituary examples for inspiration

Terrence Brooks, 58, of Jackson, Mississippi, died on February 12, 2026, after a sudden cardiac event. Terrence was born in Jackson to Earl and Gladys Brooks. He graduated from Jim Hill High School in 1985 and worked at the Nissan plant in Canton for 28 years. He was the kind of worker who trained every new person on the line and never made them feel stupid for asking questions. Terrence never had his own kids, but his nieces and nephews would argue that point. He was the uncle who picked them up from school when their parents couldn't, who sat through every talent show and soccer game, and who kept Kool-Aid pops in his freezer year-round specifically for their visits. He was a deacon at New Hope Baptist Church and organized the annual church fish fry for 15 years. He loved fishing at Ross Barnett Reservoir, watching Jeopardy every weeknight, and arguing about football with anyone who would engage. Terrence is survived by his mother, Gladys Brooks; his brothers, Earl Jr. (Donna) and Marcus (Keisha) Brooks; his sister, LaTonya (Derrick) Williams; eight nieces and nephews; and his dog, Duke. Homegoing celebration will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Ray Kelly, 70, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, died on February 6, 2026, at Geisinger Community Medical Center. His nieces and nephews are still processing the fact that the man who seemed indestructible was, in fact, not. Ray was born in Scranton to Joseph and Mary Kelly. He served in the Marine Corps from 1974 to 1978, then came home and went to work for the Scranton School District as a custodian. He retired 30 years later as head of maintenance, having personally fixed, according to his estimate, "every single thing that ever broke in that building." Ray never married. He said he was married to the job, which his family understood to mean he preferred his own schedule and his own remote control. He lived in the house he grew up in and kept it exactly the way his mother had it, except for the recliner he added in 1995. He was the uncle who taught the kids to throw a football, who always had twenty dollars for ice cream, and who showed up for every important event without ever being asked. Ray is survived by his brother, Michael (Patty) Kelly; his sisters, Kathleen (Bob) Nealon and Eileen Kelly; ten nieces and nephews; and his dog, a beagle named Coach. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scranton Public Library.

William Arthur Chen, 65, of Seattle, Washington, passed away on January 25, 2026, after a lengthy illness. Born on October 12, 1960, in Seattle to Arthur and Helen Chen, William was the second of three children. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1978 and earned his degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington in 1982. William spent 35 years with the Washington State Department of Transportation, rising to senior project engineer. He oversaw the reconstruction of portions of Interstate 90 and the Mercer Island interchange. His colleagues say he was the engineer who actually read every page of the environmental impact reports. William married Susan Park in 1987. They divorced amicably in 2002 and remained friends. He had no children of his own but was a devoted uncle to his four nieces and nephews, attending their games, graduations, and milestones with the consistency of a parent. He was an avid hiker, a mediocre golfer (his own assessment), and a devoted supporter of the Seattle Mariners through decades that tested his loyalty. He was a member of the Chinese Community Benevolent Association. William is survived by his brother, Robert (Lisa) Chen; his sister, Nancy (Mark) Tanaka; his four nieces and nephews; his former wife, Susan Park; and his cat, Chairman Meow. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Butterworth's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chinese Community Benevolent Association of Seattle.