James Edward Brown, age 78 of Hohenwald, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2020 surrounded by his family at his residence.

Mr. Brown was born in Russellville, Alabama to the late Angelo Brown and Marcille (Johnson) Brown on March 11, 1942.

He graduated high school in La Marque, Texas. After graduation he joined the Navy Reserves where he served from 1961 to 1962. After a honorable discharge from the Reserves, he enlisted with the United States Army where he completed basic and paratrooper training. He served from 1962-1965 and was honorably discharged.

In the mid 1970's, he moved to Tennessee where he went to work for the National Park Service, working from 1978 to 1996. He retired from the Park Service with 21 total years of government service.

After retiring from the Park Service, he went on to give 17 years of civil service as a deputy with the Lewis County Sheriffs Department.

He would like to be remembered for his charitable work with the Masonic Lodge and the love for his family.

Survivors include his wife, Verna Ruth (Barrow) Brown; son, William (Nicole) Brown; daughter-in-law, Jillian Lee Taylor; brothers, Cecil and Franklin Brown; sister, Patricia Cooley; and four grandchildren, William Edward Brown Jr., Emily Ann Brown, Walker Ray Brown and Mason Ryder Brown.

A private masonic service will be held at the funeral with burial following in the High Island Cemetery in Texas.

A memorial service for Mr. Brown will be scheduled for a later date.

McDonald Funeral Home in Hohenwald assisted the family with arrangements.