Col. Robert Lloyd Browning

Chaplain, Colonel, USAF Retired

Aug. 24, 1935 – Dec. 20, 2021

Robert (“Bob”) L. Browning was born August 24, 1935, in Natchez, Mississippi. The only child of William Duke Browning and Doris Browning, Bob graduated in the first class (Class of 1959) from the United States Air Force Academy. He had previously attended Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi for two years. At graduation from the Academy, Bob received his wings as an Air Force navigator and 2nd Lieutenant bars with a four-year commitment to the Air Force. He went through navigator and B-52 crew training in California and then was assigned to a B-52 combat crew at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. In 1961 Bob married Roxann Cox from Jackson, Mississippi, who always thought she would marry a minister. Bob and Roxann had two children: Laura Richards and John Browning. In 1963, Bob resigned his active-duty commission and accepted a reserve commission as a 1st Lieutenant to attend Seminary in New Orleans and became a navigator with the Mississippi Air National Guard.

After graduating from seminary in June 1966, Bob accepted an active-duty appointment as a chaplain in the United States Air Force and reported to his first duty station at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Over the next 25 years, Bob and Roxann had many assignments both stateside and overseas, including: Maryland, Vietnam, Colorado, Arizona, Germany, Air War College Montgomery, Alabama, SAC headquarters, Omaha, Nebraska, California, Okinawa, the Air Force IG, and finally ATC Headquarters in San Antonio, Texas.

Bob was adopted at 3 months old and went from an orphan in Mississippi to a distinguished career as a Senior Air Force Chaplain. Along the way, he received a Bachelor of Science from the Air Force Academy, a Bachelor of Divinity and a Master of Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctorate from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He also received a Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal, and assorted ribbons and medals from the United States Air Force.

After retirement from the military, Bob and Roxann served over 16 years at the Church at Woodmoor where Bob was Senior Pastor. He also served as President of the Monument Fire Board, Vice President and President of the Monument Sertoma, and as a Board member of the Falcon Foundation. He continued to perform weddings and funerals at the Air Force Academy for many years.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Roxann Browning. He is survived by two children, Laura Richards (husband Mike) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and John Browning of Palmer Lake, Colorado, as well as 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Sam Lamkin and Art Lamkin of Isola, Mississippi and by loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends. A memorial service will be held at the Memorial Pavilion at the Air Force Academy cemetery on January 21st at 10:30 a.m. The service is open to all who knew Bob and want to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to either the Church at Woodmoor (TheChurchAtWoodmoor.com) or to the Falcon Foundation /Association of Graduates (www.supportusafa.org) Both of these charitable organizations were important to Bob.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Browning family.