Thomas Paul Brown was born on December 26, 1945 in Buckhannon, W.Va. and died February 19, 2020 at the United Hospital Center.
Tom lived in Selbyville, West Virginia and was formerly of Bridgeport, West Virginia.
Preceded in death by his parents, Fleming and Nela Corley Brown, Tom was the fourth of six children. He joins his siblings Gwen Brown Fragmin, Delmas “Steve” Brown and Linda Brown Walker.
Left to tell the stories of his youth are his brothers Larry Brown of Buckhannon and Cam Brown of Straw Plains, Tennessee.
Tom also leaves behind two daughters to reminisce about his wonderful cooking, Renate Brown (and partner Jim Murray) of Oakland, Md. and Kelly Brown Moran (and husband Jay) of Christiansburg, Va.
His three grandchildren will strive to inherit and master their “Pawpaw’s “green thumb, Leslie Gaither and Rob Weatherholt of Ridgley, W.Va., Alayna Gaither and great-grandson, Eli of Morgantown, W.Va. and Olivia Gaither and fiancée Tyler Porter of Petersburg, W.Va.
In addition to his immediate family, Tom served as a mentor and friend to his many nieces and nephews and loved to joke with them. Tom was always talking about his many hunting adventures with his nephew Jeff Brown and loved his time spent enjoying meals and fellowship with his niece Kathy Fragmin Clohan and husband Jack.
The first of his family to graduate from high school, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was a proud veteran deployed as a mechanic in Okinawa during the Vietnam War. Tom retired as a heavy equipment operator with IUOE Local 132.
Tom loved spending time in the woods hunting, feeding his forest friends, digging ramps and cutting wood. He was the happiest doing things for others and lived life fully. Tom was the envy of his neighbors and family because of his beautiful and plentiful garden by the river. He truly had a gift with working in the soil. Tom enjoyed sharing his knowledge of his Appalachian heritage by teaching all who were interested in such arts as canning, meat processing, making jellies, jams and homemade apple butter with his copper kettle.
The family would like to thank his neighbor, Rosalyn, for all of her assistance over the past months as well as the wonderful staff on the Fourth Floor at United Hospital Center, especially Lauren and Kim.
Respecting his wishes, Tom will be cremated. A graveside service with the Upshur County Honor Guard having military honors will be conducted on Saturday February 29, 2020 at the Salem Ridge Cemetery, Gaines, Upshur County, W.Va. starting at 11 a.m. A gathering of friends of family will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Salem Ridge Cemetery, Gaines, WV.
We know that Tom touched many in the community; therefore, the family requests you share your favorite memory or story: morankdb@gmail.com or Kelly Moran, 2870 Wild Turkey Run, Christiansburg, VA 24073.
Online condolences may be extended to the Brown family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Brown family has entrusted the Heavner and Cutright Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services with funeral arrangements.
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