Larence Herbert Brown Sr.

April 15, 1934 - November 6, 2021

On November 6, 2021, Larence H. Brown made the transition to Heaven. He was born on April 15, 1934, in Washington, DC, the last of six children of the late William Macon Brown and Lorena Hawkins Brown. He grew up in Roanoke Rapids, NC, the place of his roots. He enjoyed hunting and boxing when he was not helping his parents with his farming responsibilities. He enlisted in the U.S Navy in Roanoke Rapids, NC in 1951. He then reported to Basic Training at Naval Training Command, San Diego, CA. He served his country for 24 years before entering the Fleet Reserve on September 17, 1975. Over his 24 years of naval service, he was assigned to: the USS Prairie during the Korean war, 1951-1954; USS Everglades, Norfolk, VA, 1955 to 1959; Submarine Base, New London, CT 1960 – 1963; USS Mauna Kea, San Diego, CA, 1964 – 1965; USS Regulus, San Diego, CA, 1965 – 1966; COMFOUR Staff, Philadelphia, PA 1966 – 1968; Patrol River Boat 12, Republic of Vietnam, 1968 – 1969; USS Arco, US Territory of Guam, 1969 – 1970; Washington Navy Yard, 1971 – 1973; Naval Support Activity, Annapolis, MD, 1973 -1974; USS Coral Sea, San Diego, CA 1974 – 1975. Some of his major accomplishments include Advancement to Chief Petty Officer; commissioned as a Naval Officer; Vietnam Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Achievement Medal; and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” for Valor. After ending his highly successful naval career, he moved into the private sector working for ARINC [Engineering] Research Corporation. He later smoothly transitioned into retirement and made gardening, speed walking, working out, collecting coins, and traveling, his main hobbies. Family patriarch, he will be dearly missed. He started his family in 1957, uniting in marriage to Shirley Mae Brown. He was later married to Gloria Jean Brown. In addition to being preceded in death by his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife Gloria Jean Brown, wife Shirley Pearson Brown, daughter Valerie K. Morris, and siblings: Clarence M. Brown; Doris Brown Burgess; Marie E. Brinkley; Marion Little Ross; and Beulah Newton. He leaves to cherish his memory his children: Rev. Larence “Larry” H. Brown, Jr, OK; Kathy B. Williams-Edmonds (Leon Edmonds), MD; Kent Brown, Sr, MD; Kirby A. Brown Sr., (Yolanda) TX; 7 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. REST IN HEAVEN/FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS LCDR BROWN