Jack Dean Brown

BROWN, Jack Dean, age 96 of Old Hickory, TN went to be with his heavenly Father on July 14, 2020 after a short illness. He was born February 3, 1924 in Dickson, TN to parents Hubert C. and Gladys Dean Brown. Preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Gloria Wilson Brown. He is survived by son Marshall W. Brown; sister Martha L. Gann; cousins Margie Scott and Murray Brown; nephews Craig Hastings (Penny) of Nolensville, TN, Dodie Hastings (Bobbie Clift) of Laguardo, TN, Patrick Wilson (Deborah) of Coeur d'Alene, ID, Dr. Steven Wilson (Suzanne) of Wilmington, NC, nieces Pamela Martin of Nashville, TN and Victoria Lovell (Roger) of Madison, TN.

Growing up in Dickson, TN, family and friends called him "Jackie Dean". Jack was very close to his grandparents "Mama and Papa Brown". It was Papa Brown who instilled Jack's love for hunting quail and squirrel. Papa Brown also let Jackie Dean participate while delivering mail on his mail route in Dickson.

Over the years, Jack stayed in close contact with his Dickson friends. Most weekends you would find him playing golf at the Dickson Country Club with his longtime friends Dr. B.J. Smith, Sam Luter, Robert Littleton, Stanley Overton, Norman Madden, Carl Spann, Dr. Charlie Smart, Jerry Smith, Clay Nicks, and Neil Fussell.

Jack was a big fan of the Master's Tournament in Augusta and went every year with his friends from 1958 until 2006.

After graduating Dickson High School (Class of '42), Jack worked at Vultee Aircraft for a brief time before going to serve his country during WWII in the 341st Signal Company Wing of the Army Air Corp. He was stationed in Italy at Torremaggiore during the Naples Foggia campaign and earned 2 Bronze Stars for his service.

Jack returned to the U.S. and went to Peabody College on the G.I. Bill, earning both his Bachelors and Masters in Chemistry and Biology. It was there he met his future wife Gloria Wilson, who was studying Library Science and learning to be a teacher.

After graduating, Jack went to work for Sinclair Oil Company here in Nashville, starting out as a Branch Sales Rep. Soon afterward, Jack got married, and Sinclair began moving him around as he progressed upward in the company. First to Asheville, NC.... then Charlotte, NC... then Atlanta, GA, then back to Nashville, and finally to Indianapolis, IN.

Although Jack found much success and satisfaction in his work as an executive at Sinclair Oil Co (and later Atlantic Richfield (ARCO)), the constant picking up to move grew tiresome for him and his family. When he was faced with moving to California, he resigned and moved to Old Hickory, TN to be close to both his parents and his wife's family.

In 1974, Jack decided to go into business for himself. He and former Sinclair associate Jim Nichols were able to purchase the semi-trailer repair and rental business located on 505 Fesslers Lane in Nashville. Thus, TSR (Trailer Service, and Rental Co.) was reborn. It was very difficult at first. But his employees always seemed to appreciate Mr. Brown's straightforward approach with them. Mr. Brown set a high standard for himself as well as his employees. He did not hold back praise and appreciation of those who worked hard to make the company more successful. In 1978, his business was relocated to it's current location on Spence Lane in Nashville. In 1994, on TSR's 20th year in business, TSR's employees nominated Mr. Brown for the Nashville Business Journal's "Small Business Executive of the Year" award. After 30+ years, Mr. Brown sold his stake in TSR and retired. He had many fond memories of his work at TSR and his employees.

For Jack, relaxing at home, watching any Vanderbilt sports, sipping a Classic Coke, eating a Wendy's Frosty was hard to beat. When riding along in his son's car, he often had him to tune into his 1940's Big Band music, taking him back to his high school days in Dickson, TN.

Although Jack lived the longest here in Old Hickory, TN, his heart always belonged at home in Dickson, TN.

Funeral Service will be July 25th, 2020 at the Hermitage Funeral Home at 12 noon. Visitation with the family will be from 10 am to 12 noon on the same day. Service will be conducted by Senior Pastor Don Hutchinson of Hendersonville First United Methodist Church. Pallbearers: Craig Hastings, Dodie Hastings, C.J. Hastings, Alex Martin, Michael Gann, and Roger Lovell. Honorary Pallbearers: Marshall's cousins Patrick Wilson and Dr. Steven Wilson; Dr. B.J. Smith, Sam Luter, Norman Madden (all of Dickson, TN), current and former TSR employees Jim Nichols, David Marlin, David Sawyer, James Luna, Judy Lewis, Shelley McCoy, and Mike Zimmerman. In lieu of flowers, please honor Jack by making a donation to Middle Tennessee Meals on Wheels http://www.mchra.com/meals-on-wheels.