Christopher Brooke Brantley, age 56, passed on November 27th, 2021 at home with his family in Bolingbrook, Illinois due to a short battle with liver cancer. He was born on May 30th, 1965 to Stanford and Mary Jo Brantley and grew up in Jefferson, Texas and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1983. Brooke married Laura Ward Brantley on September 18th, 1993 and were married 28 years.
Brooke started his career as the bass player in a high school rock band called One Eyed Jack, leather pants included. After a few years of college he became a videographer\director for a private satellite television company in the late 1980s and changed careers to become a chef in the late 90s. He graduated top of his class at the Culinary Institute of America in 1997 and gained professional experience at luxury resorts and inns in New England. After the birth of their two sons, he and Laura returned home to Texas and worked as a culinary arts professor at Collin College in McKinney, Texas. In 2006, he found his dream job with McCain Foods in Oak Brook, Illinois as a Corporate Chef/Director of Culinary. Brooke was a proud Eagle Scout, Cub Scout den leader & assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 8 in Naperville, Illinois. A short three years ago, Brooke found a new passion making knives and cutting boards turning his garage into a workshop. Everywhere he went, Brooke made a friend. He was a loving husband & father, serious foodie, consummate professional, dedicated scout leader, passionate member of the Culinary Institute Alumni Council, BBQ lover and a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan.
Brooke is survived by his wife, Laura, and his two sons, Ben and Aidan, in addition to his father Stanford, his brothers Maxey and Todd, and 4 nephews & 1 niece.
Private Service to be held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville, IL.
Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Bolingbrook Country Club Bolingbrook, IL, on Sunday, January 16, 2022.
Brooke is deeply missed by his family and friends. In leu of flowers, please consider donating to the BROOKE BRANTLEY ‘97 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, the thoughtfulness Brooke exhibited in life will continue, supporting culinary students in their educational journey and passion for food.