Thomas Dwight “Tom” Brown, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and friend, died Sunday, March 30, 2014.
Born July 7, 1935, in Constantine, Mich., he was a son of the late Harry Kenneth Brown and Marjorie Bell Wandell Brown. His family moved to Battle Creek, Mich, the home of the Kellogg Company, which likely contributed to his corn-fed rearing. In 1953, Tom graduated from Battle Creek Central high School, and then married his high school sweetheart - now his loving wife of 60 years, Dianne "Dee" Pearlman Brown - at the age of 18.
At the time, his friends were giving him the 1950s equivalent of high fives. Her friends were supportive but wondered, "What on earth are you thinking?"
Together, they showed them how loving both relationships and families ought to be.
Shortly after their marriage, Tom and Dee relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Tom became a businessman who established and grew multiple enterprises with Dee. First was a construction company, which operated during a 15-year period and followed by a contract packaging company that spanned a 25-year period before it was sold. Last but not least, he built Professional Case, a company that, among other things, is the only remaining U.S. manufacturer of the proverbial "little black bag" coveted by doctors worldwide.
That business is currently operated by his daughter, Erin, and her husband, Paul.
During the Korean War, Tom enlisted for the Armed Services and served honorably. He was also involved in many civic organizations. A few of those along his journey included president of the PTA for two years; president of the Home Builder's Association; extensive involvement with the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America; president of the Beckett Ridge CC Member's Association; and president of the Forest Park School District Athletic Boosters for a two-year period, where he was responsible for the development and construction of the school's football and track stadium.
Tom also offered his business experience to Goodwill Industries for its development of a light industry operation for the employment of disadvantaged workers in the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan Area.
Survivors besides his loving wife of 60 years include three children, Dr. Scott Brown and his wife, Blanche Brown, Ken Brown and his wife, Beth Brown, and Erin Biel and her husband, Paul, all of whom thought him "the bomb." He is also survived by five grandchildren, Alexandra (Beau) Stubbs; Lauren Biel, Lindsey Brown, Haley Biel and Jacob Biel. To them, he was their loving "Bapa."
Other survivors include a great-grandchild, Harrison-Lee Stubbs, who's just getting life started in this world with a guardian angel in her Great Bapa, who will be keeping watch over her and his great-grandchildren we have yet to meet. He also leaves a cadre of friends and acquaintances, all of whom though him a pretty dad-gummed great guy,
even if rather competitive on the golf course.
A service of remembrance and celebration will be held 5 p.m. Saturday at the Presbyterian Church at Manning, 233 N. Brooks St. in Manning. A reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Presbyterian Church at Manning, P.O. Box 207, Manning, SC 29102.
Tom/Dad/Bapa will be dearly missed by all. In keeping with his character however, we will endeavor to posthumously share a frequent laugh - either with him or at him - until the day we meet again. On that he would insist!
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179.
