George F. Brown

George F. Brown, executive director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana, died Monday, July 23, 2007, in Sandestin, Fla. He is survived by a daughter, Ms. Georgia Brown Scobee; a brother, Mr. J. Dan Brown and wife Georgia of Austin, Texas; a granddaughter, Mrs. Meghan Scobee Blackledge and husband Ryan of Durham, N.C.; and longtime special friend, Ms. Sara A. Harris. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George S. Brown. Born Oct. 31, 1923, in Clay, Mr. Brown was 83 years old. He attended Centenary College in Shreveport until leaving for combat service in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his military service he resumed his education and graduated from Louisiana Tech University. He also completed graduate studies at LSU. He was assistant state director of the United States Brewers' Association from 1952 until 1962. In 1962, he assumed the role of executive director of the Beer Industry League of Louisiana, a position he held until his death. He also served as national president of the Wholesale Beer Association Executives for two consecutive terms and national chairman of that association's national legislative program. Mr. Brown was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, a member of the Association of Louisiana Lobbyists, president of Model Development Corporation, executive director of the Wine and Spirits Foundation of Louisiana Inc., a friend of the Baton Rouge Symphony, and a major supporter of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Mr. Brown was recently recognized in "The Power Book," a publication of the Baton Rouge Business Report. Above all, he was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed by all of his family, friends and colleagues. Visitation on Sunday, July 29, was from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. Visitation on Monday, July 30, will be from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal High School, 3200 Woodland Ridge Blvd. Religious service at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday and be conducted by the Rev. Ralph F. Howe Jr. Interment will occur after the funeral at Resthaven Garden of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway. Pallbearers will be Mr. Hunter Brown, Mr. Scott Brown, Mr. A.R. Harris Jr., Mr. Gene Harris, Mr. Darrell Hunt, Mr. Murphy Painter, Mr. Chris Young and Mr. Jim Lee. Honorary pallbearers are the Louisiana Beer Wholesalers. Mr. Brown always wanted to encourage young people to pursue their musical talent. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LSU Foundation School of Music and Dramatic Arts, 3838 W. Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, or the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 14209 Baton Rouge, LA 70898.