Jim, a resident of Birmingham, MI, passed away August 21, 2022 after a long and fulfilling life. He was 92 years old.
Jim was born to Joe Edward and Alta Brown on March 17, 1930 in Bold Springs, TN. He grew up on his family's farm, which had no electrical service or running water, along with his eight siblings and learned the meaning of hard work. For his education, Jim attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated with 12th grade diploma.
Even as his siblings left the farm for better work after graduation, Jim remained committed to helping his parents continue the farm's operation - That is, until his dad bought him a bus ticket at the age of 21. Jim left the farm, rode the bus all night to the Detroit area and found work in various shops. He soon found employment as a paint lab supervisor for BASF, a chemical supplier to the automotive industry. There, Jim had a long and storied career spanning 32 years. Even after his official retirement in 1984, he continued working in a consulting capacity for several years.
In addition to working, Jim raised three children and was a wonderful, supportive father. He also engaged with his community, supporting various local groups.
Later, during his widowed years, Jim was a member and vice president to a group called Loners On Wheels, an RV club of single men and women who enjoyed traveling and camping. In his free time, he also enjoyed square dancing with the Clawsonaires and the Birmingham Quadrilles, where he met the love of his life, Anita Gala. After five years, she accepted his proposal and they were married on May 26, 2006. Jim and Anita have since enjoyed 16 years of marriage together.
During their married life, they were very active in the Ferndale Free Methodist Church where they led a senior adult group called OASIS. Having grown up on a farm, Jim loved nature and spending time outdoors. He and Anita enjoyed walking the Kensington and Stony Creek Metropark trails, visiting cider mills, watching freighters and barges pass through the St. Clair River, and climbing lighthouses along the East coast of Michigan.
Jim was devoted to his family, quietly generous and a man of extraordinary character. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Anita Gala; children, Debbie Burkhart, Barbara Brown and Patricia (Kevin) Elnicky. He is also survived by his siblings, Lois Ethridge, Doris (Bill) Ethridge, Betty Silverstrand and Ethel Ridings.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Alta Brown; and siblings, Calvin Brown, Joe Brown, Billy Brown and Sue Simpson.
Jim was born to Joe Edward and Alta Brown on March 17, 1930 in Bold Springs, TN. He grew up on his family's farm, which had no electrical service or running water, along with his eight siblings and learned the meaning of hard work. For his education, Jim attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated with 12th grade diploma.
Even as his siblings left the farm for better work after graduation, Jim remained committed to helping his parents continue the farm's operation - That is, until his dad bought him a bus ticket at the age of 21. Jim left the farm, rode the bus all night to the Detroit area and found work in various shops. He soon found employment as a paint lab supervisor for BASF, a chemical supplier to the automotive industry. There, Jim had a long and storied career spanning 32 years. Even after his official retirement in 1984, he continued working in a consulting capacity for several years.
In addition to working, Jim raised three children and was a wonderful, supportive father. He also engaged with his community, supporting various local groups.
Later, during his widowed years, Jim was a member and vice president to a group called Loners On Wheels, an RV club of single men and women who enjoyed traveling and camping. In his free time, he also enjoyed square dancing with the Clawsonaires and the Birmingham Quadrilles, where he met the love of his life, Anita Gala. After five years, she accepted his proposal and they were married on May 26, 2006. Jim and Anita have since enjoyed 16 years of marriage together.
During their married life, they were very active in the Ferndale Free Methodist Church where they led a senior adult group called OASIS. Having grown up on a farm, Jim loved nature and spending time outdoors. He and Anita enjoyed walking the Kensington and Stony Creek Metropark trails, visiting cider mills, watching freighters and barges pass through the St. Clair River, and climbing lighthouses along the East coast of Michigan.
Jim was devoted to his family, quietly generous and a man of extraordinary character. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Anita Gala; children, Debbie Burkhart, Barbara Brown and Patricia (Kevin) Elnicky. He is also survived by his siblings, Lois Ethridge, Doris (Bill) Ethridge, Betty Silverstrand and Ethel Ridings.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Alta Brown; and siblings, Calvin Brown, Joe Brown, Billy Brown and Sue Simpson.
Jim, a resident of Birmingham, MI, passed away August 21, 2022 after a long and fulfilling life. He was 92 years old.
Jim was born to Joe Edward and Alta Brown on March 17, 1930 in Bold Springs, TN. He grew up on his family's farm, which had no electrical service or running water, along with his eight siblings and learned the meaning of hard work. For his education, Jim attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated with 12th grade diploma.
Even as his siblings left the farm for better work after graduation, Jim remained committed to helping his parents continue the farm's operation - That is, until his dad bought him a bus ticket at the age of 21. Jim left the farm, rode the bus all night to the Detroit area and found work in various shops. He soon found employment as a paint lab supervisor for BASF, a chemical supplier to the automotive industry. There, Jim had a long and storied career spanning 32 years. Even after his official retirement in 1984, he continued working in a consulting capacity for several years.
In addition to working, Jim raised three children and was a wonderful, supportive father. He also engaged with his community, supporting various local groups.
Later, during his widowed years, Jim was a member and vice president to a group called Loners On Wheels, an RV club of single men and women who enjoyed traveling and camping. In his free time, he also enjoyed square dancing with the Clawsonaires and the Birmingham Quadrilles, where he met the love of his life, Anita Gala. After five years, she accepted his proposal and they were married on May 26, 2006. Jim and Anita have since enjoyed 16 years of marriage together.
During their married life, they were very active in the Ferndale Free Methodist Church where they led a senior adult group called OASIS. Having grown up on a farm, Jim loved nature and spending time outdoors. He and Anita enjoyed walking the Kensington and Stony Creek Metropark trails, visiting cider mills, watching freighters and barges pass through the St. Clair River, and climbing lighthouses along the East coast of Michigan.
Jim was devoted to his family, quietly generous and a man of extraordinary character. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Anita Gala; children, Debbie Burkhart, Barbara Brown and Patricia (Kevin) Elnicky. He is also survived by his siblings, Lois Ethridge, Doris (Bill) Ethridge, Betty Silverstrand and Ethel Ridings.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Alta Brown; and siblings, Calvin Brown, Joe Brown, Billy Brown and Sue Simpson.
Jim was born to Joe Edward and Alta Brown on March 17, 1930 in Bold Springs, TN. He grew up on his family's farm, which had no electrical service or running water, along with his eight siblings and learned the meaning of hard work. For his education, Jim attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated with 12th grade diploma.
Even as his siblings left the farm for better work after graduation, Jim remained committed to helping his parents continue the farm's operation - That is, until his dad bought him a bus ticket at the age of 21. Jim left the farm, rode the bus all night to the Detroit area and found work in various shops. He soon found employment as a paint lab supervisor for BASF, a chemical supplier to the automotive industry. There, Jim had a long and storied career spanning 32 years. Even after his official retirement in 1984, he continued working in a consulting capacity for several years.
In addition to working, Jim raised three children and was a wonderful, supportive father. He also engaged with his community, supporting various local groups.
Later, during his widowed years, Jim was a member and vice president to a group called Loners On Wheels, an RV club of single men and women who enjoyed traveling and camping. In his free time, he also enjoyed square dancing with the Clawsonaires and the Birmingham Quadrilles, where he met the love of his life, Anita Gala. After five years, she accepted his proposal and they were married on May 26, 2006. Jim and Anita have since enjoyed 16 years of marriage together.
During their married life, they were very active in the Ferndale Free Methodist Church where they led a senior adult group called OASIS. Having grown up on a farm, Jim loved nature and spending time outdoors. He and Anita enjoyed walking the Kensington and Stony Creek Metropark trails, visiting cider mills, watching freighters and barges pass through the St. Clair River, and climbing lighthouses along the East coast of Michigan.
Jim was devoted to his family, quietly generous and a man of extraordinary character. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Anita Gala; children, Debbie Burkhart, Barbara Brown and Patricia (Kevin) Elnicky. He is also survived by his siblings, Lois Ethridge, Doris (Bill) Ethridge, Betty Silverstrand and Ethel Ridings.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Alta Brown; and siblings, Calvin Brown, Joe Brown, Billy Brown and Sue Simpson.
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