Memorial service for John T. “J.T.” Brown will be held Thursday, May 23 at 11 a.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. Oak Harbor Elks Lodge No. 2362 will officiate. Full military honors will follow by NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow at the Elks Lodge. He died May 17, 2002 at his home in Oak Harbor.

In loving memory, John Thomas “J.T.” Brown, was born Oct. 12, 1919, to Thomas and Marjorie Brown in Spokane. He was known as Jack Brown while growing up in Great Falls, Montana. He attended schools, graduating from Great Falls High School in 1938. He attended one year of college at Montana State University.

In 1940, John entered the U.S. Navy. He worked as a navigator and an instructor in flight simulators. On April 22, 1947, he married Dorothy Dewar in Bellingham. They moved several times during their married life. John retired from the Navy in 1960 as a chief petty officer (TDC).

In 1960, John then began serving as the first State Farm Insurance agent on Whidbey Island, opening his office in Oak Harbor. After retiring from the insurance business in 1983, John spent his leisure time reading, taking trips and playing golf. After 48 years of marriage, his wife Dorothy passed away in 1995. John moved to Hermiston, Ore., and lived with his daughter and son-in-law off and on. Two years ago, he moved to Summer Hill Assisted Living facility in Oak Harbor.

John was a member of Whidbey Island Golf and Country Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Whitehead-Muzzall Post No. 7392, the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge No. 2362 and Fleet Reserve Association, Branch No. 97, all of Oak Harbor.

John is survived by his daughter Ann Forbes and her husband Lee Forbes, granddaughter Amanda Marrs, grandson Brian Marrs and great-grandson Mason Davis, all of Oak Harbor. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children, PO Box 110760, Tacoma, WA 98411-0760 or WAIF. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel.