Jerry Wayne Brown, age 73, passed away Friday, June 14, 2024, at his home. Jerry was born in Johnson, IN on June 28, 1950, the second of five children of Everett Ray and Norma Joan (Holland) Brown. Jerry went to schools in Princeton, IN. Jerry married Betty Burke in 1973. They celebrated 50 years of marriage with family and friends last summer. They welcomed two children, Andrea Johanna, and Everett Robert. Such a proud daddy, he was known to take the children with him on his escapades. His grandchildren were joys in his life.

Jerry worked summers as a teenager in his uncles' hay fields and melon farms in Johnson. Working with his dad in the construction industry in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, he helped to build the Coca Cola skyscraper. His years at Tri-state Aero at the Evansville airport are some of his finest memories, acquiring several lifelong friends. For 20 years, Jerry was a heat treater metallurgist and welder for Hurst Manufacturing in Princeton, IN. He continued his career with Heritage Fabricators as a certified tig and mig specialty welder. Upon retiring, he worked for a fishing camp in Alaska and for an Amish restaurant cooking, which was one of his passions. Always active, he played softball, bowled on leagues, played tennis, golf, ice skated, roller skated, skied, hunted, and fished. He enjoyed crabbing, shrimping, boating, lifeguarding, was an advanced swimmer, scuba diver, coached soccer, was the canoe race winner several years in a row, dirt bike rider, Harley Davidson HOG, and raced speedway bikes. Jerry was a skilled landscaper and photographer. A natural survivalist, Jerry ran miles a day in his youth which promoted his muscular build. Jerry is known for bending 60 penny nails using only his two hands, winning at arm wrestling, singularly moving DC-10 aircraft, carving, rebuilding furniture, and leaving legacies in spaces and places. Jerry was an early riser, and you could hear him whistling tunes and see him watching the birds.  He was a movie buff and could quote lines. Jerry was a joke teller with great timing and could tell one after the other. Jerry donated time to trim shrubs at St. Bernard Church, took consecutive years of First Communion photos, and was instrumental in working with the Volunteer fire department to tamp out the fire at the church by climbing into the burning attic to locate the fire. Jerry and Betty made Cursillo #9 in Evansville. He and Betty traveled all over the United States staying for extended periods, learning the area, the people, and the culture. Many friends were made, and tales told. He never met a stranger and could pick up a conversation on most any topic.

A member of the Princeton Council of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, NRA life member, Ducks Unlimited, Lifetime hunting and fishing license holder in Indiana, he was an official Turtle, was in a Holiday World commercial, and an article in Harley Davidson magazine.

Jerry was preceded in death by his son Rhett, his parents, his stepmother, Mary Lucille Brown, his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Dorothy Burke (Thornburg), and brother-in-law Jim Burke.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Betty, his daughter, Andrea (Dylan) John of Fort Branch and his grandchildren: Gabriel Burns, Evan Burns, Caelan Weilbrenner, Anastasia Taylor, Elliana Taylor, Julian Taylor, and Adam Bilderback. Brothers: Gary (Wanda) Brown of Patoka, IN, Loretta (Jim) Memmer of Princeton, IN, Larry (Kim) Brown and Terry (Kim) Brown of Beech Island, SC, Randy (Leeanne) Brown of McDonough, GA and Sisters: Becky Koberstein of Princeton, IN, Alex (Tina) Brown of Haubstadt, IN, Christine (Steve) Wagner of Owensville, IN, Rachel (Chris) Skidmore of Francisco, IN, Brother-in-law Brent (Alecia) Burke of Wadesville, IN, Sister-in-law Lois (Ron) Morgan of Evansville, IN and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 20 at St. Bernard Catholic Church Snake Run, in rural Fort Branch, with Deacon Richard Leibundguth and Father Chris Forler as celebrant. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 19, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Stodghill Funeral Home, 500 E. Park Street, Fort Branch, Indiana, and again at the church on Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. until Mass time. The Knights of Columbus will lead a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19. Interment will be at St. Bernard Catholic Church Cemetery in Snake Run, Indiana.

Donations can be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church, 5342 E. State Road 168, Fort Branch, IN 47648, or charity of your choice.

St. Bernard's Catholic Church
5342 IN-168, Fort Branch IN 47648
Tel: 1-812-753-4601
Email: stodghil@gmail.com
Web: http://www.stbernardsnakerun.org