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Roll Call Tribute
James "Jim" Brown Jr. '64 November 2, 2011 3:04 PM
Carter-Trent Funeral Home obituary
Major James Sidney Brown, Jr., USAF (Retired)
We are saddened to announce the passing of James Sidney "Jim" Brown, Jr., 79, of Kingsport, on the evening of April 17, following an extended illness. As was his fond wish, he passed peacefully at home in the gentle care of his family.
He was born December 14, 1931 at Frisco in Carter's Valley, Hawkins County, Tennessee and grew up in the Yuma community of Scott County, Virginia. His elementary and high school years were spent at the old Cleveland School in Yuma. As a boy, he loved rambling in the woods and exploring the hills and streams. He read voraciously, a habit he continued until shortly before his death.
Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and became a weather observer. Truly enjoying the field, he applied for weather forecasting school and became a weather forecaster by 1954. Following completion of Officer Candidate School, he received assignment as a Weather Officer. Afterward, he attended the University of Alabama and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University in 1964.
Following retirement from the Air Force in 1971, he worked as a rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 25 years until his retirement in 1998. He was active in the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.
After retiring, he helped with last rites for over 2500 veterans all over Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. He felt honored to express his patriotism and his gratitude for the service of other veterans in this way. He was also active in the Kingsport Independence Day Parade, spending time each summer for many years helping to organize and run the parade.
Always interested in family relationships and dabbling in genealogical research, he began serious scholarly genealogical research upon his retirement from the Air Force and his return to East Tennessee. The challenges of the search entertained him for more than 40 years, amassed a considerable body of work, and led him into many surprising discoveries of long forgotten family roots.
He was a Professional Member Emeritus of the American Meteorological Society and a life member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sidney Brown in 1985, and Rosa Ilena Arnold Brown in 1997, a brother Billy Wayne Brown in 1951, and his first wife Nellie Gray Harless Brown in 1972.
He is survived by Nancy Ann Compton Brown, his wife of over 36 years.
He leaves six children: Charlotte Blair (James), Rebecca Godby (Robert), James S. A. Brown, III (Jennifer), Michael Fleenor (Barbara), Janis Fleenor, and Ina Jo Hyder. He leaves one uncle, Walter Arnold of Michigan. There are four grandchildren, Caitlin Smith (Jed), Rachel Bigby (Adam), Daniel Hyder (Jenny) and Mary Hyder, as well as several step grandchildren, and seven great grand children.
His siblings include, Harold Brown (Gay), Bonnie Brown Myers (J. William), Darrell Brown, and Carol Brown Hunt (Eddie), and he has several cousins, especially Lawrence Shoemaker (Betty), Mary Lou Testerman, and O. Brown Overbay (Kay), and several nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Kingsport Hematology, especially Dr. DaSilva and Betty. Also, we appreciate the staff of Holston Valley Medical Center's Wilcox Hall, especially Teddy, who went well out of his way for this patient. The physicians and nursing staff at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, especially Dr. Brian Englehardt and the staff of 11 North Myleosuppression Unit deserve our praise, and also, Joan Cross, who heroically drove him to Nashville, gaining us precious additional months. Our thanks also extend to the wonderful people at Gentiva (Amy and Maxine) and Home Instead (Betsy, Kandy, Kim, Lorrine, and Tiffany), who helped us immensely in Daddy's final days. Finally, We have immense gratitude to the kind people of Amedisys Hospice Services (Eleanor and Sandra), who eased his passing for him and us.
Funeral arrangements will be carried out by Carter Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport. The family will receive visitors on April 20 from 6pm until 8pm. Graveside services will be held April 21 at 1pm at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Suite 102, Johnson City, TN, 37601, or the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Brown family.
Major James Sidney Brown, Jr., USAF (Retired)
We are saddened to announce the passing of James Sidney "Jim" Brown, Jr., 79, of Kingsport, on the evening of April 17, following an extended illness. As was his fond wish, he passed peacefully at home in the gentle care of his family.
He was born December 14, 1931 at Frisco in Carter's Valley, Hawkins County, Tennessee and grew up in the Yuma community of Scott County, Virginia. His elementary and high school years were spent at the old Cleveland School in Yuma. As a boy, he loved rambling in the woods and exploring the hills and streams. He read voraciously, a habit he continued until shortly before his death.
Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and became a weather observer. Truly enjoying the field, he applied for weather forecasting school and became a weather forecaster by 1954. Following completion of Officer Candidate School, he received assignment as a Weather Officer. Afterward, he attended the University of Alabama and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University in 1964.
Following retirement from the Air Force in 1971, he worked as a rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 25 years until his retirement in 1998. He was active in the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.
After retiring, he helped with last rites for over 2500 veterans all over Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. He felt honored to express his patriotism and his gratitude for the service of other veterans in this way. He was also active in the Kingsport Independence Day Parade, spending time each summer for many years helping to organize and run the parade.
Always interested in family relationships and dabbling in genealogical research, he began serious scholarly genealogical research upon his retirement from the Air Force and his return to East Tennessee. The challenges of the search entertained him for more than 40 years, amassed a considerable body of work, and led him into many surprising discoveries of long forgotten family roots.
He was a Professional Member Emeritus of the American Meteorological Society and a life member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sidney Brown in 1985, and Rosa Ilena Arnold Brown in 1997, a brother Billy Wayne Brown in 1951, and his first wife Nellie Gray Harless Brown in 1972.
He is survived by Nancy Ann Compton Brown, his wife of over 36 years.
He leaves six children: Charlotte Blair (James), Rebecca Godby (Robert), James S. A. Brown, III (Jennifer), Michael Fleenor (Barbara), Janis Fleenor, and Ina Jo Hyder. He leaves one uncle, Walter Arnold of Michigan. There are four grandchildren, Caitlin Smith (Jed), Rachel Bigby (Adam), Daniel Hyder (Jenny) and Mary Hyder, as well as several step grandchildren, and seven great grand children.
His siblings include, Harold Brown (Gay), Bonnie Brown Myers (J. William), Darrell Brown, and Carol Brown Hunt (Eddie), and he has several cousins, especially Lawrence Shoemaker (Betty), Mary Lou Testerman, and O. Brown Overbay (Kay), and several nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Kingsport Hematology, especially Dr. DaSilva and Betty. Also, we appreciate the staff of Holston Valley Medical Center's Wilcox Hall, especially Teddy, who went well out of his way for this patient. The physicians and nursing staff at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, especially Dr. Brian Englehardt and the staff of 11 North Myleosuppression Unit deserve our praise, and also, Joan Cross, who heroically drove him to Nashville, gaining us precious additional months. Our thanks also extend to the wonderful people at Gentiva (Amy and Maxine) and Home Instead (Betsy, Kandy, Kim, Lorrine, and Tiffany), who helped us immensely in Daddy's final days. Finally, We have immense gratitude to the kind people of Amedisys Hospice Services (Eleanor and Sandra), who eased his passing for him and us.
Funeral arrangements will be carried out by Carter Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport. The family will receive visitors on April 20 from 6pm until 8pm. Graveside services will be held April 21 at 1pm at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Suite 102, Johnson City, TN, 37601, or the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Brown family.
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