Dr. Jack. S. Brown, Sr., of Florence, Professor Emeritus, University of North Alabama, passed away at his home on March 20, 2010. He was 81.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Florence, on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. The Rev. Gary Formby will officiate. The family will be in the atrium after the service. Dr. Brown will be buried in the family cemetery in Ryland, Alabama.
Dr. Brown was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Maysville, Alabama graduating from Madison County High School. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1948 at the age of 19. A year later, he began his teaching career as a Biology professor at Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama. In 1952, he enrolled at the University of Alabama to begin work on his doctorate. Auburn University called him to teach in 1954 and from 1955-1958 he was called to service in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama in the School of Aviation Medicine. Upon completion of his PhD in 1956, and his term of duty in 1959, Dr. Brown was named Chairman of the Biology Department of Emory & Henry College in Emory, Virginia. In 1963, he was named Dean and Professor at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. Dr. Brown returned to Alabama in 1968 to teach at Florence State University, now University of North Alabama. During his 23 years at UNA, he served as the Biology Department Chair, Director and founder of the Fresh Water Institute, a member of the Faculty Senate, a charter faculty member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and on numerous academic committees.
After retiring from UNA, he and his wife established the library at Shoals Christian School where on their 50th wedding anniversary, the school dedicated the library in their name. Dr. Brown was a Past President of the Florence Lions Club and was an active Board Member of the UNA Sportsman Club. He was a tireless promoter of the American Heart Association and CPR education. He was a physical fitness enthusiast holding instructor designations in scuba diving and Nautilus exercise equipment.
Dr. Brown leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Myrtle; a sister, Georgia Moncada and husband, Joe, Pittsburg, PA; a daughter, Patricia Bratcher, and husband, Brad, Athens, AL; a son ,Stan , Hueytown, AL; granddaughters Angela Sonego, Nashville, TN, Allison Brown, Houston, TX, and Jessica Brown, Beaumont, TX; and grandsons, Chris Sonego and Scott Bratcher, Athens, AL.
The family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Daugherty and the staff of Hospice of Tennessee Valley for their care and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shoals Christian School, First United Methodist Church, and Woodmont Baptist Church.
Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family. You are invited to sign the on-line guest register at www.elkinsfh.com.