Born in Berkeley, Va. to Joe and Anne Brown, Tom was the eldest of four kids.

The year of 1963 would forever change his life when he met Nancy Adams in Port Angeles, Wash., where he was stationed with the U.S. Coast Guard, and his universe shifted. They married on April 10, a special day they would later share with their youngest of five children, it would be his birthday, born at home on beautiful Whidbey Island where they then lived.

Anyone who met Tom, whether it be early in his life while enlisted in the Coast Guard or near the end while occupying a place at a local watering hole, they would learn immediately that his passion was flying. Spending nearly 40 years in the air, both for the Coast Guard and working for the Boeing Co., with their prestigious AOG team. Traveling to the farthest corners of the Earth fixing, repairing, testing, and flying planes and more. Countless trips spending days, weeks, even months away was always a challenge for his family, but his presence at home was always craved and appreciated.

After retiring in the year 2000, Tom spent his time caring for the love of his life, Nancy, while she battled cancer, finally taking her in 2004. This being a pivotal moment in his life, forever changing his world and leaving a cloud over his heart.

For the next 15-plus years, life would throw turbulence in Tom’s direction as he battled his own health problems and lived with a broken heart.

His family would keep him going and he was a proud Papa of 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his brothers, Joe Jr. and Jimmy; sister, Patricia; son, Wally Brown (Shawna); daughter, Candy Anderson (Clay); and sons, Tommy Brown (Kristen), Tracy Brown (Jaimy), and Donnie Brown (Aimee).

He leaves a legacy of airplane stories, challenging puzzles, crosswords, and a love of grits, a good scotch and Cabernet. A happy face to greet his many friends, always to be remembered for being able to fix and make anything out in his garage or give you the latest with the news and weather. You know, because, “those meteorologist know nothing,” as he would say.

Everyone hopes he is dancing with her, happy and whole again. No pain, no suffering and that he is comfortable. We will all miss his intelligence and wisdom and his wonderful ability to capture us all with great adventure stories. We hope you have an easy chair and an ocean breeze to enjoy. Rest Easy.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.