Obituary of Edward Emerson Brown

Edward Emerson Brown, Jr., 95, of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, March 2, 2014. Born on September 22, 1918, in Chattanooga, Ed had five brothers and two sisters and attended Normal Park Grammar School. He graduated from The McCallie School as Salutatorian in 1936, and went on to attend Washington & Lee University, where he was president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, played on the golf team and graduated with honors in 1940, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. During World War II, Ed served his country in the 7th and 9th Army, 181st Field Artillery of the European Theater, landing in Omaha Beach, France, on D-Day plus 30. After five years of service, he was honorably discharged as a Major in 1945. Ed began his business career with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co., succeeding his father, Edward E. Brown, Sr. as a general agent. He became a Chartered Life Underwriter and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Ed was also president of Chattanooga & Tennessee Life Underwriters. In 1969 he founded Brown Associates, Inc. and served as chairman until his death. His sons, Allen and Huxley Brown, have run the investment firm since Ed stepped down as president in 1986. He was active in the Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga community. Ed was president of Moccasin Bend Golf Club and was one of the original five founders in 1965. He was a director of Signal Knitting Mills, and director of the Greater Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. He was also chairman of Chattanooga-Hamilton County Law Enforcement Commission in the late 60s and early 70s. An avid, life-long golfer, Ed began playing as a teenager at the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club, where he and his brothers were fixtures. Following WWII he was selected to play in a golf tournament in Paris, France, which later became the French Open. He was a long time member of The Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, The Lookout Mountain Fairyland Club, The Mountain City Club, and The Lookout Mountain Golf Club. He was also a former member of The Honors Course, and John’s Island Club, Ed had many dear friends both on and off the golf course. He used to remark that, if he didn’t shoot his age, it was a bad day. There were not many bad days on the golf course for Ed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Emerson Brown and Dorothy Gregory Brown; sisters, Dorothy Brown Moore and Alice Brown Brock; brothers, Robert Kingsley Brown and Allan Gregory Brown; and son-in-law, George Nelson Dickinson III. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Esther Allen Brown; daughter, Sanford Brown Dickinson; sons, Edward Emerson Brown III, Allen Campbell Brown, Campbell Huxley Brown and Leonard Harvey Brown; daughters-in-law Emily Garth Brown and Rhonda Voges Brown; brothers, Thomas Jackson Brown, Wesley Gregory Brown, and Lewis Arnold Brown. grandchildren Kimberly Dickinson French, Allen Campbell Brown Jr., Mary Dickinson Trammell, Emily Brown Johnson, Thornton Garth Brown, Winston Garth Brown, Emerson Matthews Brown, Eleanor Emerson Brown and Robert Huxley Brown; and six great-grandchildren. Known for his keen sense of humor, straight talk, and love of life and family, Ed was always willing to tackle tough issues and stand up for his beliefs. He remained active through age 95, when he still hit golf balls, drove to work and attended church regularly. Ed and Esther were married in Ft. Sill, Okla., on November 6, 1942, and raised five children together on Lookout Mountain. Devoted members of Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church, the two thoroughly enjoyed watching their family grow and spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were fortunate to spend the winter months at John’s Island in Vero Beach, Fla., for 38 years. This beloved man, who touched countless lives with his vibrancy, generosity and devotion, will always be missed and remembered. The family offers special thanks to Dr. Jack McCallie for his outstanding care and attention to Ed. Visitation will be Friday, March 7 in the Parish Hall at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church, Lookout Mountain, from noon to 1:30 p.m., with funeral services at 1:30 p.m. followed by a brief graveside burial at Forest Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to the Baylor School Endowment Fund, 171 Baylor School Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37405; the Edward E. Brown Scholarship Fund at McCallie School, 500 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37404; Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church, 1227 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750; or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo (423) 821-7551 Share your memories, stories and photos at wannfuneralhome.com.