Joseph Walter Brown Jr., “Joe,” 92, of Gloucester, born on Mother’s Day, May 13, 1923, died on Father’s Day, June 21, 2015.
Joe died peacefully in his home in Naxera on the Severn River after a brief illness. Joe was the son of Joseph Walter Brown and Thelma Robins Brown of Schley, Va.
Joe had five siblings who preceded him in death Raymond S. Brown, Fred L. Brown, Samuel J. Brown, Thelma Ann Brown Dischinger and William B. Brown.
He was born and raised in Ware Neck, Gloucester County.
He married Mary Ann Bratz of Coronado, Calif., in Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Sept. 2, 1948. They had been married almost 49 years when Mary Ann died in 1997. Mary Ann most often called him “Brownie.”
Joe graduated from Botetourt High School, worked at the Newport News Naval Shipyard and entered the U.S. Navy in 1943. He was appointed a Naval Aviator in December of 1944. He was educated at Stanford University and the Naval Postgraduate School. He retired from active service in 1968 having attained the rank of Commander.
Joe is survived by his sons, David and his wife Deborah, Andy and his wife Sharon, and Jeff and his wife Ruby. His youngest son, Douglas, preceded him in death. Grandchildren are Holly, Christi and her husband Greg, Josh, Jonas and his wife Grace, Michael, Nick and his wife Elise, Joseph, Casey, Christian, Alan and Susan, and great-grandchildren, Wilson, Jack, Francie, Sally Ann, Annabelle, Colt, Riley, Jonathan, Leila, and Ian. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Hugh Dischinger and Nelson A. Brown, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Joe embodied the spirit of the father in the Biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Joe’s family wishes to express sincere thanks to the caregivers of Riverside Walter Reed Hospice. The wisdom and kind attention conveyed by each was remarkable.
Visitation with the family will be held at Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, on Sunday, June 28, 2015, from 4-6 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at Singleton United Methodist Church in Schley at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2015. A reception will be held for all in the Fellowship Hall after the service.
Donations may be made in memory of Joseph W. Brown to Singleton United Methodist Church Building Fund, Schley, Va. or Riverside Walter Reed Hospice, 7358 Main Street, Gloucester, Va. 23061.