We mourn the loss of our loving father, John “Jay” Walter Brown, who passed away on Friday, April 18, 2014, at Vicksburg Promise Hospital. He was 83.

Jay was born during the fall of 1930 in Long Beach, Calif., to the late Boyden and Lois Mae Brown. He was relocated to Saint Joseph, Mo., as a young lad to be raised by his paternal grandmother.

After completing high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force to serve his country. Jay had only a few relatives to correspond with during his military stay. A fellow serviceman suggested his sister as a pen pal to exchange additional mail. After completing his tour as a staff sergeant in Biloxi at Keesler Air Force Base, that “pen pal” became the love of his life.

While raising a family and working and continuing his education, Jay was able to achieve an associates degree in industrial engineering. Jobs and working locations changed over the years. In 1971, the Brown family settled in Vicksburg. The local residents could usually bump into him selling the Optimist Club Christmas trees in November or at the Openwood Plantation (and later Clear Creek) golf course during fairer weather.

After his retirement in the mid-90s, he was “learning the city” by delivering meals on wheels to local residents. During the latter years after muscular dystrophy affected his mobility, he enjoyed visiting with friends and family at the local casino buffets.

Jay is survived by his loving wife, Francis “Fran” Martin Brown, and their three sons, Stephen “Steve” D. Brown and wife Catherine of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Andrew “Andy” V. Brown and wife Teresa of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Barry N. Brown, a recent Vicksburg local. Grandson Alex is a student of Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and step-grandson Michael is working in Pensacola, Fla.

Near and dear to his heart was the adopted god-family belonging to Barbara and Cameron “Cam” Smith of Bovina. Their three children and six grandchildren have added spice to his life.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and care specialists at River Region Medical Center and Promise Hospital for their kind efforts.

Services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Riles Funeral Home in Vicksburg.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m., followed by the Celebration of Life Service.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting any donations to be sent to either Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org,‎ or the Vicksburg Senior Center, 801 South St., PO Box 150, Vicksburg, MS 39181.