More detail on this person: The army did an
unbelievable job honoring one of their own. We
couldn't have asked for a more fitting service for
Dad. The outpouring from the local community has
been incredible as well. There were well over 100
folks there. They also knew what a special person
he was. I've copied Dad's obituary which appeared
in the Port Angeles paper on the 10th of January.
It's kind of light on his accomplishments, but
that's how he would have wanted it to be. As you
know, he was not big on folks that blew their own
horn.
From: Jim (Jb) Brown III
James Harvey Brown Jr. (May 5, 1936 - January 7,
2003) died peacefully in his home on January 7,
2003, at the age of 66, with his wife of 45 years
and eldest son at his side. Born May 5, 1936, to
Judge James Harvey Brown and Ruth Hopkins
Brown in Los Angeles, Calif., Jim graduated from
Hollywood High School in 1954, serving twice as
class president.
Upon graduating from high school he attended
Stanford University and was a member of Phi Delta
Theta fraternity. He enlisted in the Army in 1958
and graduated from Officer Candidate School in
1959.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from
Troy State University and a Master of Science
degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Georgia
Tech.
Jim served over 20 years in the Army as an
artillery and aviation officer, including two
tours in Southeast Asia. He retired from the Army
as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1979.
His last military assignment was as the program
manager for the XV-15 Tilt Rotor NASA/Army
program at Moffett Naval Air Station, California.
Upon retirement from the Army, Jim worked for
General Electric in Los Angeles.
He and his family then moved to Mesa, Arizona,
where he worked for McDonnell-Douglas Helicopter
Company. In 1990 he moved to Port Angeles to
become Vice President of Business Development of
Rogerson Hiller Corporation. Jim also worked for
Magna Force as Sales Manager and served five
years on the United Way Board of Directors in Port
Angeles.
Jim and Bev loved to travel, and Jim could be
found either on the golf course or at the helm of
their boat, The Happy Ours.
Jim adored to be surrounded by his grandchildren,
and when he couldn't be with them he spent long
hours on the computer downloading pictures from
them. They, in turn, absolutely love their
``Gramps'' and will miss him dearly.
His wife Beverly; sons James III, Michael, and
David; sister Dorothy O'Leary; daughters-in-law
Colleen and Jeanna; and grandchildren Nicholas,
Jaycie and Mandy survive him. Jim leaves behind an
enormous and supportive group of dear friends and
extended family.
Jim fought a courageous battle against cancer, and
his family would like to thank Dr. Robert Witham
for his overwhelming support and care.
We would also like to extend our deepest
appreciation to Hospice of Clallam County, and in
lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to
Hospice of Clallam
County, P.O. Box 2014, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m.,
January 13, 2003, at Ocean View Cemetery in Port
Angeles.
To the Brown Family.... I certainly am saddened to
hear of Jim's death. He and I had a special bond,
as friends and pilots in the early days of our
Army Aviation careers.
Jim came to the 1st Aviation Company at Ft
Benning, GA soon after flight training and Caribou
transition. In May '62, he and I went to the
DeHavilland of Canada factory at Downsview Air
Base, Toronto, and "signed-for" a new AC-1A
Caribou, #61-2392, and flew it back to Ft Benning.
On 1 June '62, we, in '392, took-off for our
3-week trip to Korat RTAF, Thialand. The story is
in "The Aerie", below. What a journey, I only had
about 150 hours in the Caribou and Jim had less
than 50, when we left. We added another 88 hours
enroute to SE Asia, starting a very exciting year
there.
Two years ago, I found Caribou #61-2392 at
Lakehurst NAS, NJ and was able to sit in the left
seat again after 38 years. I did think of Jim
then, flying next to me again.
The last tme I saw Jim was at an aviation
conference in Williamsburg, VA, after he had
retired. We have exchanged many e-mail thoughts
during the past several years, but he never
mentioned his illness, so this news came as a
shock.
I will notify the Otter-Caribou Association and
the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, if you
will please send me a copy of Jim's obituary.
Our thoughts are with you at this time.
From: Don and Helen Joyce
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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