Robert Stanley Brown (Bob, RS, Poppa, Poppa Daddy, Grandpa Bob, and “Oh Bob” which was the name used by his beloved Ann usually right before or after he had just said something wildly inappropriate) escaped this mortal realm on March 19th, 2018 at the age of 73. Though Pancreatitis tried but failed to take him back in 2007, cancer finally succeeded.
Bob was born June 4, 1944 in Rocky Mount, NC., a son of Joseph and Lena Griffin Brown. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, the former Ann Hutchinson, a sister, Barbara Ann Brown, and a brother, Ray Brown.
He is survived by the following people: his aunt, Dorothy Kelley, and uncle, Earl Griffin, both of North Carolina. He is also survived by his children, Amanda Pearce and Penelope Ingold (Darren), Lynne Funcheon (Chris). His grandchildren, Weston Funcheon, Ralph Upton, IV., Nolan Westhoff, Logan Westhoff, Amber Gonzales, Joshua Acosta, Dyllan Funcheon, Copper Funcheon, Leeanne Funcheon, Dezaraye Wilgis, and Nicholas Springer. Four great-grandchildren, Landon Halterman-Funcheon, Juniper Gonzales, Emmett Westhoff and Ayden Kelley Funcheon. He is also survived by numerous adopted grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and of course London, his constant companion and the dog he claimed he never wanted. When you meet us all at the memorial, don’t try to figure out which side of the family tree we fell from, (that tree is definitely a hybrid) so just take our word for it that he claimed us, and we claimed him.
Bob entered the world, grew up, got married, had a couple kids, got divorced, got married again, got some grandkids and then great grandkids, and loved them all. So what made his time on this earth different?
Well, we all definitely fish a little better, we know the value of a good Carolina BBQ sauce, we know that one of the daughters (no names…Amanda) is willing to stab the her sister with a fork over Grandma Anne’s potato salad (relevant because it occurred at one of the numerous family BBQ’s and was always paired with some of the best dang BBQ chicken ever cooked by a mortal man), and because of Bob, we learned that family isn’t just bonded by blood but by the unconditional love that you are willing to share freely.
Bob showed us all that no matter what demons you have in your past they do not have to define your future. He exemplified kindness and a giving nature, always seeming to be appear when you needed him most and never making you feel like he had been put out. He taught us to forgive the people who have hurt you because it will only destroy your own heart, and most importantly tell the people that matter, how much you love them, and tell them it often.
Bob lived his life under the philosophy that every bad thing that life throws at you can be exaggerated, turned into a tall tale and told at all family reunions. Bob didn’t have many regrets in life except for maybe that there is no photographic evidence of that fish that he supposedly caught on one of the deep sea fishing adventures with the Grandkids and that he never got that picture with his shirt off on the beach when he hit that 32 waist size.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be April 7, 2018 (11AM) at First Baptist Church of Flagler Beach, where he served as a Deacon. Everyone who wishes will have the opportunity to tell a story about his impact on his life. Don’t forget to add in extra details, Bob would expect nothing less. A colorful dress code would be appreciated, black just wasn’t his color.
Arrangements by Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home
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