James H. Brown Jr.

Born in Asheville, NC to the late James H. Brown, Sr. and Berta Middleton Brown. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy M. Brown. Prior to his moving to Rolling Green Village, the family lived in the Drexel Terrace neighborhood of Taylors, SC. Jim earned an Eagle Badge with the Boy Scouts of America at the age of 16 and graduated from Lee-Edwards High School in 1935 where he was on the soccer team and the Glee Club. He then attended Mars Hill College where he was on the tennis team and played first chair clarinet in the Orchestra Club. Jim enrolled in the Army-Air Cadet pilot training school in March of 1942 and was assigned to the 74th Squadron 434th Troop Carrier Group. He and his crew were instrumental in making four trips to Normandy and Northern France in a C-47 on June 6, 1944 (D-day) where they dropped paratroopers, supplies and trailing gliders. Upon honorable discharge on September 12, 1945, he received the decorations of a European Middle Eastern Service Medal with a Silver Star, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Badge, and a Bronze Arrowhead D-day Liberty Medal. Jim was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in West Asheville, NC where he sang tenor in the choir. He also sang with the Asheville Tonemasters Quartet on radio station WWNC and received 1st prize in a national contest held on the Renfro Valley Radio Show. While with the Tonemasters, they occasionally sang as backup with George Beverly Shea. Upon moving to Greenville, SC in 1954, Jim was a founding member of the Northgate Baptist Church, served as a member of the Board of Directors for Greenville Technical College, and was Parade Marshall in the Hospital Activities division of Hejaz Shriners. Jim owned and operated Food Equipment Company of Greenville, partnership to Asheville Showcase, for 30 years until retirement in 1984. He spent leisure time camping in Airstreams and RV's. Survivors include son Gregory H. Brown (Laurie), daughter Jeanette R. Brown, 2 granddaughters Madison & Mayson Brown, and 2 sisters Maude B. Clontz of Charlotte, NC, and Martha B. Easterling (Gene) of Barnwell, SC. He also has several nieces, nephews, and several great nieces and nephews. Jim was an avid Clemson fan and supported the IPTAY programs for over 40 years. He was loved and will be missed by all his family and friends. The family expresses special thanks to the loving and caring staff at Rolling Green Village. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Miracle Hill Children's Home, PO Box 2546, Greenville, SC, 29602: Greenville Humane Society, 305 Airport Road, Greenville, SC, 29607. Services were privately held on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Woodlawn Memorial Park.