Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Howell Brown, US Army (Retired) died Monday, January 13, 2014 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 12:00 noon at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with the U. S. Army Chaplain officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by U. S. Army Honor Guard. The family will visit with friends Thursday after 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.

The family suggests memorials to Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758517,
Topeka, Kansas 66675 or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Colonel Brown was the son of the late Raymond and Virginia Brown of Columbia.

Colonel Brown graduated from Maury County schools. Afterward, he played piano professionally with the Monorays, a band he helped organize. Then while serving in the Tennessee National Guard, beginning as a Private, he was appointed a commissioned officer and attended various army service schools. He ultimately attended flight training and qualified as an instrument rated aviator in airplanes and helicopters. Entering extended active duty with the US Army, he received a Regular Army commission, Armor, in 1966. He left service qualified as a Master Army Aviator with his current rank.

Colonel Brown served 2 years in Viet Nam, the first in 1967 and the next in 1972-73. During his first tour he Commanded D Troop, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry of the 9th Infantry Division, flying the first armed helicopters equipped with the Gatling-type machine guns firing 4,000 rounds per minute. During this tour, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 Air Medals for valor and gallantry in action plus the Purple Heart among other American and Vietnamese awards.

During his second tour with the Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade the highlight of his actions was participation in the operation to recover the prisoners of war held in North Vietnam. During this tour, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for meritorious service. Returning from Viet Nam, he commanded the 235th Attack Helicopter Company (Delta Devils) at Ft. Knox Kentucky, and served in various staff assignments until retirement.

Between various command and staff assignments he attended the US Army Command and Staff College. Additionally, the Army sent him to complete a BS degree in Accounting at the University of Tampa and a Master of Business Administration Degree at Syracuse University.

By the time he left active service he had received other awards, including the Bronze Star, Air Medals, Defense and Army Meritorious Service Medals, and the Defense and Army Commendation Medals.

Colonel Brown was President and CEO of Ft. Monroe Credit union, Hampton, Virginia, growing that institution from $6 million to $20 million in deposits.

Colonel Brown was an Adjunct Professor of Accounting, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, and an honorary Doughboy of the 54th Infantry (Massachusetts).

Colonel Brown became a Master Mason in 1961, and later The York and Scottish Rites. He was a "50-Year" Mason.

In 1964, the highlight of Colonel Brown's life occurred when he married Charlotte Staggs, who survives him, in Birkenfeld, Germany, who was his lover, partner, best friend, and advisor until his death. Of this marriage are two sons who survive him: Jerry, II and his wife Adrienne and grandsons Noah and Nicholas, of Centennial, Colorado, and Matthew of Columbia, TN. He is also survived by his brother Ashley Brown and his wife Paulette of Columbia, his brother in law and virtual son and family members Timothy Staggs and his wife Linda, daughter Ashley and son, Lucas of Roswell Georgia.

Honorary pallbearers include Danny Moser, R. E. Duncan, Charles Brown, Shelby Carpenter, Sarah Carpenter, Richard Wagster, Bettye Buckner, Dan Buckner, William Wade, Bobby Hemphill, Dr. A. Clyde Heflin, Jr., Dr. Lucy Ledbetter, Billy Pigg, Billy Carter, Neal Goodman, Johnny Potts, and Charley Hardaway.

The family would like to express a special appreciation to Dr. Maura Lipp, Dr. Jon Freels, Dr. Paul Perryman and his staff, and special ICU nurses, Ginger, Natasha, Michelle, Tonya, and Melinda.

---

Notice: This page is displayed properly. This kind formatting happens sometimes when I copy and paste items from newspapers

---