Obituary of William James Brown

William James “Jim” Brown Jr., 81, of St. Petersburg, Florida passed away, surrounded by family, Saturday December 14, 2019 at Suncoast Hospice Care Center South Pinellas.  Jim was born on June 13, 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida to William and Benetta (Johnson) Brown.  He attended Fletcher High School, Jacksonville Beach. Jim attended the University of Florida where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. During his last semester at UF, he married the love of his life, Kathryn Davis, on August 27, 1960.  After graduation, Jim was hired by Florida Power Corporation and he and Kay relocated and settled in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jim retired from Florida Power Corporation after 33 years as a Purchasing Manager.  After his retirement, he worked part-time for Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes for the next 23 years until 2018.  

Jim had an everlasting bond with a group of seven of his friends who attended elementary through high school together.  They were known as the “Crazy Eight” and they were like brothers.  Together this group purchased a lake house in Keystone Heights, Florida in 1972.  The lake house was Jim Brown’s favorite place in the world! Jim and Kay spent all of their vacations with their children at the lake. The tradition continued with the grandchildren and now great-grandchildren at the lake house. The family has some of their fondest memories of summer vacations, holidays and weekends spent together at the lake.

Jim was a servant leader and truly believed in giving back to help those in need.  He was always friendly, kind, calm, clear-headed and respected by all who knew him. Jim served as a role model to his family, friends, and community. Jim’s commitment to community involvement was evident through his membership and leadership roles in a number of organizations including Palm Lake Christian Church, Suncoasters, Suncoast Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Azalea Bulldog Football Organization, Azalea Little League Baseball Organization, Florida Power Club, Community Police Council, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Patterson Trust, and the one dearest to his heart the National Exchange Club. Jim joined the National Exchange Club service organization in 1964 and served as President of the St. Petersburg Exchange Club, the Florida District Exchange Club, the National Board of Exchange, and was elected and served as National President from 1989 – 1990.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kay; three sisters, Carol Brown (Dan) Gentry, Barbara Brown (Walter) McFall, Denise Brown (Bruce) Kridle; brother Carlton (Aggie) Brown; three children, Dr. W. Michael (Cindy) Brown, Kenneth M. (Michelle) Brown and Kathryn B. Mize; six grandchildren, Haley Brown (Riley) Klicker, Kaylee Mize, Michael (Stephanie) Brown, Tyler Brown, Shannon O’Donnell (Chris) Tatum, Kelsey Mize and two great grandchildren, Dawson James Klicker and Avery Brown, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family. Jim was preceded in death by William James Brown Sr., Benetta Johnson Brown, Tressa Farmer Brown and James Michael “Little Jimmy” Brown.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of W. James Brown Jr. can be made to the National Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse.  Checks can be mailed to 3050 Central Ave., Toledo, OH 43606 or donate online at www.nationalexchangeclub.org.