Thomas James Brown Sr.

Thomas James Brown, Sr., age 88, died Friday, neember 30, at the Seasons at Southpoint in Durham. Tom was born in Brooklyn, NY to the late Edward L. and Mary Adams Brown. Tom grew up ineellerose, Queens and graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, NY. Upon graduating from high school, Tom joined the U.S Navy. He served in the navy during World War II. He trained as a Radioman and was injured during the battle of Okinawa. He received a Purple Heart for his injuries during the battle. Tom joined the Americaneegion after the war and is a lifetime member. At one point, he was a regional commander in the Americaneegion. After the war, Tom came home and joined the workforce. Several years after starting his career, he met and married his wife, Georgette. Shortly after his marriage, Tom and Georgette moved to Long Island and started their family. Tom worked for Nabisco, where he was a salesman for 29 years. Uponeetiring from Nabisco, Tom became a school bus driver for 6 years until finally moving to Arkansas to enjoy retirement. He lived with his wife, Georgette, in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas for 23 years. Tom became active in the Hot Springs Village community during this time. He voluneered at St. Joseph's Hospital and the National Forest ranger station ineessieville as well as being active in the men's club at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Tom also became very active in the local Kiwanis Club. His work with Kiwanis led him to mentor children in the local school, deliver Meals on Wheels and participate in the various fund-raising activities of the organization. During his retirement years, Tom enjoyed playing golf as often as he could. At one point, he even shot a hole in one during his playing days in Hot Springs Village. He was also a member of the men's golf association there. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Georgette A. Brown of Durham, NC; his son, Thomas J. Brown, Jr. and wife, Paula, of Hillsborough, NC; his two daughters, Lucy Ann Brown and husband, Louis of Smithtown, NY, Eileen Anne Brown and partner, Barbara Sepe of Huntington, NY; and two grandchildren, Meaghan Dowling of Smithtown, NY and Theodore James "TJ" Brown of Hillsborough, NC. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 12:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 4, from Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillsborough with Father Thomas S. Tully presiding. Friends may visit with the family following the mass. Burial will be held with military honors will be held 1PM on Friday, December 28, 2012 in Pinelawn National Cemetery in Long Island, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements for the Brown family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service in Durham. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.